Buddhist haven

Sorry I've been away for a while... ah the joys of trying to get internet connected in a foreign country! T.I.V = This is Vietnam!

So let me fill you in, I've finally moved in to my new place and I love it! Probably because the day I moved in my landlady Mai, a practicing buddhist, preformed a cleansing ritual to purify my home of toxins and to ward off any lingering spirits. She put out offerings in the hallway and then proceeded to burn a mixture of herbs and salt (and what I believe to be lighter fluid) in every room of my new home. She also knelt down and prayed a number of times during this ritual, it was absolutely amazing! But what was even more amazing is what happened next.

After seeing how amazingly curious I was about this ritual,  my real estate agent James informed me that he was attending temple that day at 5:00 and that he would love to bring me if I was interested. Interested??? Are you kidding??? I was so excited, I could hardly wait! I agreed to meet him at 3:30 since we had a 40km motorbike ride ahead of us, yes I said it... MOTORBIKE!!! Since about 5 million people drive motorbikes in Saigon we needed to get me a helmet and asap, so we drove a few kilometers, got a sidewalk oil change, bought myself a helmet and we were on our way. Now for everyone who has never seen footage of the motorbike traffic in Vietnam all I have to say is that from the sidewalk (the outside looking in) it looks like pure crazy and you fear for their lives and your own. But as I soon realized it is much safer than it looks, it's much like traveling in a school of fish (I imagine) just following the flow of traffic. Now where it gets tricky is when you introduce the many sharks into the school of fish, also known as the CARS!!! No texting and driving here ladies and gents!!! Focusing on a million things at once is a requirement when driving here, getting distracted is not an option, trust me....saw my life flash before my eyes a few times, thank goodness James was an excellent driver. (This pic was taken from inside the safety of a taxi, not sure I felt safe taking out my camera on my first motorbike ride...wawaweewa!)
    

So after fearing for my life a few times, I finally thought I was adjusting to riding on the back of a Motorbike...until I saw a family of four ride past me (yes, all on one bike) Amazing!!! How could anyone ever really adjust to this??? Too great for words, really.

We drove through and out of the city into a peaceful little village about 30 km out of Saigon and we arrived at the Pagoda shortly after five (we of course had to stop by the side of the road for some yummy coconut water). Needless to say, because I went with a local I was the only foreigner and all eyes were on me as we arrived a few minutes late. We quickly took our place among the crowd and as I looked around in amazement the chanting began, WOW! It was beautiful, and no words can do it justice, so I won't even attempt to.  After the ceremony, James introduced me to the Master Monk and he invited us to stay for dinner, which we did. The whole day was really just amazing and I feel so lucky to have been a part of it, it was truly one of the best days I've had...

The night time drive back into Ho Chi Minh was unreal...the lights, the noise, the utter chaos, what a contrast from a temple in the country side.  Oh Vietnam, you amaze me!

Almost straight out of a movie. Julia eat your heart out ;p
(Sorry no pictures of the temple, thought that would have been a little... well, you know)

Talk soon

T xox

Not in Kansas anymore

Well what can I say, red slippers anyone??? Is this real life???

I think that is the way I would describe my culture shock if I had to.  My first day here was a difficult one to say the least, I may or may not have had more than one breakdown but I was assured by a fellow teacher that arrived the previous day that things would get better.  Get better? Really, could it possibly get any worse? I wanted to buy the next ticket home and was willing to deal with another 24 hours in transit if I had to. You see, the poverty here is at times disheartening and I do not believe I was ready for it at all.  But in all fairness my fellow teacher was right, I got a good night sleep to get rid of my jet lag and guess what...The second day was a little better and the third day even better than the last. This is my fourth day in Ho Chi Minh and I must say I am happy I did not get back on that plane. In my short time here, I have managed to figure out how across the street without getting run over by one of the million motorbikes, I found out that a rain poncho may be the best fashion statement I ever make here. And most importantly I have found out that the sign outside my hotel balcony wasn`t actually a sign from god telling me that that I should pack my bags and run like the wind. Would you believe that the sign outside my balcony actually says "Phuc Dat" but when translated actually means "Happy Land"... How Phuc-ing great is that :)

Talk soon xox

So I lied

I said my next post would be from Vietnam but it appears I lied. As I sit here, at the Toronto airport, I find myself wondering "What was I thinking???" Leaving everything and everyone I love behind to move to a foreign country where I don't even speak the language...Yikes!!! But in all seriousness, I do believe that I am beginning a journey that will help me appreciate home more than I ever could have if I didn't take this risk. I can't wait to share my travels, my experiences and my thoughts with all the people I love so dearly. Although I haven't left yet I miss you all so much but I AM bringing you all along with me. Thanks for all your support and well wishes, without which I don't believe I would have the courage to take the plunge. Talk soon, goodnight :)

Nikokunda,

Tanya (aka T-rex, Sandals, Toupie, Nellie, Tans, Tunner, T-money, T) Lol, you know who you are!