-^-for posterity-^-

i've been in hanoi for two days. it feels longer. the city is incredible.

we went around today and had coffee and met with some people that are working for other ngos. they were interesting but some of their stories seemed over-glorified. they talked of huge stacks of money and every other fact seemed a little to unbelievable.

we went from there to "watch street" cause i am in need of a watch. there were many different watch vendors and they all had something to say. i looked at acouple of watches and found one i really liked. i tried it on and found it to be much too small. i really feel like a giant in this land. at home i feel skinny, here i feel tall and fat. i finally found a watch that was suitable to all (the vendor thought a couple of the watches that i had picked out were too girly). it is a plain grey watch with the word cool! etched digitally above the time. it also has a light that lights up like a green butterfly when you need to read it in the dark. i talked to the vendor for a bit but find my vietnamese to be atrocious. i really am going to put a lot of effort into learning it. he wanted 150000 dong for it and i said "no, no, 100000 dong! he made a counter offer of 140000 dong and i finally gave up. not too persistent. that's only 9.50 for a watch with the words cool! on it and a glowing butterfly (still satisfies my girly side).

well, i must tell you all about my driving experiences. because i don't have a motorcycle and because the epps have their own cycle and it only fits two, i have to hire xe oms where iver i go. a xe om is a motorcycle for hire that will take you where you want to for a price. you must haggle beforehand. these people are not official employees but they do regularly sit at corners waiting for customers. you only ahve to say your street name and discuss a price. it's about 10000 dong for a ride from the mcc house to the center of hanoi, about a 15 minute drive. riding on the back of these things is incredible. the're only about 100-150cc and the traffic is crazy. there are really no lights and people are always merging. if you want to cross the road you must amble across (even on motorcycle) and everyone will move accordingly. there are no lanes. if there is room, pass (even if there isnt'). also, the horn is the choosen tool for distinguishing dirrection. if i think you're heading too close to me i beep. if i want you to go faster i beep. if anything appears to be wrong, beep. beep. all the beeps become white noise.

tommorrow i'm going to some x-pat church. it should be interesting. i leave at about 830am. mom and dad: you guys can call the mcc house whenever. it doesn't cost them a thing.

good bye and may we all experience and embrace the world for what it is. embrace it, but don't ignore it's problems.