Making progress in Hue

July 15th, 2007 by Brenda Pawelski

Friday 13th July
Special day for my mother as is her 99th birthday. Up and around to Thien’s place and off to coffee and back to go on Graham’s motorbike to Home of Affection to take the kids swimming. We had 15 this week and they all had a great time. Then piled into the taxi to HOA and then back to the house. Back and showered and Thien’s so as she could take me to the bus station. Got the local bus at 12.45 and I wondered just how many more people were going to be allowed on. After several stops for more and more passengers we finally commenced the trip to DaNang. It is a beautiful drive passing the ever so green ricefields, the sea, rivers and up the Hai Van Pass and through the tunnel and mountains all around. When I arrived in DaNang had to ring Uyen. Gave his card to a lady so as she could ring him for me but realised I was asking another Uyen to come and pick me up. Somehow, I connected with the correct Uyen and he came and took me to the Dong Da Street orphanage where I had a lovely time tending to the several wee babies there. Put one in my bag and pretended to take out of the orphanage – caused a laugh with the “mothers” and other toddlers. I then called into the volunteer house but only Lianne there. Had a couple of beers with her and chatted and just as I was about to leave, Shireen arrived, so another beer. All the rest of the volunteers had gone over to Hue where I had just come from. Uyen then took me back to his place and while he went to see a mate, Duc his wife and I walked hand in hand around the local area. She cannot speak any English so is rather strange for us both but she is really lovely. Then she cooked me a lovely meal and the family sat and watched me eat it. Fortunately, I was able to make a fair go of it. After dinner, Uyen took me to China Beach and we sat on the beach in the deck chairs along with hundreds of others and enjoyed a chat and more beers. I had to have a paddle and then he took me back to my guesthouse and I was quite ready for bed.
Saturday 14th July
Happy Birthday, Viet. Hope you had a good day. After a cup of coffee I booked out of the guesthouse and walked the short distance to the orphanage for another visit and helped with the babies’ feeds and changes. Uyen picked me up and we were off into the country. Thankfully, Duc gave me a “muzzle” – the glamorous garb worn by everyone – it is put over your mouth to keep the dust etc. from being swallowed – and a pair of sunglasses as the glare is very bright. We took highway 40 which was extremely busy with many trucks, cars and of course the never ending stream of motorbikes all weaving in and out and the honking of the horns. After several kilometers we turned onto highway 40B and was such a difference – hardly any heavy traffic. The countryside was beautiful as usual with the mountains all around and the banana and pineapple plantations, rice fields and never far from the river meandering along. We came to a little waterfall where I had a cool down as by this time the temperature had risen dramatically. Passed many vehicles with pineapples on them heading to the markets somewhere. We arrived at our destination of Khan Duc about 150 kms from DaNang – a relatively small town. Is very picturesque with a lake and the mountains as a backdrop. Booked into the hotel and had a rest. After that Uyen and I walked up to a monument and then met a few children off to karate lessons so we went and watched them start their class and took photos. At first the kids are a bit shy but once they see a photo on camera they all line up. Then it was a wander down to the markets, followed by a nice meal in the local cafe and then it was a really early night as had to get up to see the sunrise.
Sunday 15th July
Up at 5.30 to see a lovely sunrise. We then set off on our trip back to DaNang. Was a different way to the way we travelled yesterday. Passed by many minority shanties and saw some of the people. Lots of folk out and about with their water buffalo and wares. Had lots of interesting stops at the local villages and the people were so friendly – wanted you to come and sit down even though not much conversation was done. I was just happy to have a nurse of the little babies as there always seemed to be one or two at these stops. These parents seem to enjoy the interest taken in their children. Went for a walk over a long bridge into a settlement where the Army was. There were lots of people working in groups with their little plastic bags and piles of dirt getting ready to plant the seeds of trees in them. We arrived back in DaNang about 11.30 and went to Uyen’s house. I was quite tired so had a little sleep and then it was lunch. As is the custom over here – down tools and have a sleep. So, I had another nap before it was time for me to go and have another visit to the orphanage and then to the bus station to catch the 3.00 bus back to Hue. Well, it finally arrived at 4.00. On the same bus were Claire, Barrett and Nicola who had also been to DaNang but they had been waiting for the 2.00 bus. Was a good trip back. After a welcome shower, Suzanne and I then went for a coffee and it was back for a few games of backgammon. At least tonight I wasn’t completely wiped off the board. So, every one seemed to have had a good weekend and now off to bed in readiness for the start of our third week of volunteering. Where did that fortnight go?
Has been an interesting fortnight doing the varied classes – getting satisfaction that the children are learning English although at a slow pace. It is a great feeling when you arrive at the places when they come up and say “Hello Brenda”. At An Hoa, I think they would be happy to do Hokey Pokey all day long. Guess this makes you realise you have taught them their body parts!!
See what this third week brings.