February 28, 2010
Sunday morning begins with sleeping in a little – sleep is rather interrupted – up a few times during the night just to hang out!! Got to the GVN house a little after 9 am – folks were wondering if I was going to show up for the day!

Had breakfast at a small place down the road – hungry for my first pho!! It is noodles in broth with vegs and meat. I loved it – so far my favorite food here!

Back at the GVN house and everyone was planning their day. Lots of folks going lots of places. 4 of us ladies – Riva, Michelle, Jenny and myself took a cab to Hoi An. It is the shopping mecca little town about 45 minutes away. The cab ride there and back was $7 US. We began at one of the local tailor shops and ordered clothes to be made. I ordered 2 pair of shorts, 2 tops, and a shirt for Dick. We then went out to check out the town. Had lunch at a nice restaurant – good food – Thai inspired. Found a shop that made shoes – oh yes, I jumped on that – 3 pair. Bought some souvenirs to bring back to the states and just wandered. Again, it reminds me so much of Mexico and their little shops. They call you in to their shops and they will dicker with you. They work so hard for so little!!

Now’s the time to get the stuff – the shoes turned out well. A cute pair of suede short boots, a navy pair of mary janes (with a flower on them), and a pair of slip ons that were made of tennis shoe material. Very cute – total cost - $54 US. Now for the clothes – this didn’t go so well. They weren’t ready on time – all the clothes are sent out to private homes to be made. Motorcycles continually drive up to the door to drop of items one at a time. Michelle’s were perfect. Riva’s were perfect. Mine, not so much – one pair of shorts perfect, one top perfect, one pair of shorts to large, one top to small, and Dick’s shirt just plane did not get made – still not quite sure why that happened but guess it was something to do with material. So, the shorts got fixed, the top is not perfect so didn’t want to buy it. Ended up paying half price for it to cover the tailor cost – not quite sure the tailor will ever see the money – but it’s water under the bridge. Cost - $60 US.

Headed back to GVN and went to dinner at local café with a big group of folks. Everyone is here now that is going to be volunteering in all the placements for the month of March. I met Amber, from Canada, who is in charge of our house in Tam Ky, Randall and Lorraine – a couple from Australia who were here last year, Julie – a nurse from Australia, and myself. It’s so interesting to hear everyone’s stories and what brought them to do this adventure. The younger kids are so taking advantage of all the travel opportunities – their stories are incredible as to what they have seen in their time here.

Long day in the hot sun and high humidity so back to the house. About the guest house – it’s the place that GVN uses to put up volunteers when there is not room for folks at the GVN house during transition of volunteers. There are quite a few of us staying here. Word has it that it’s also a place that is rented out by the hour to folks in need of a place like that! Haven’t seen anything kinky or weird and will be checking out today!!!

Next posting from Tam Ky and will try to include some pictures!!! So far so good!! Monday, March 1 is orientation all day then a trip south.