Brothers on a Hotel Bed.

Vietnam is exactly how you'd picture it.

I love it. Its amazing. Everything. The people, the other volunteers, and the kids. They are so amazing! I arrived tues night, after my wait in the Korean airport... but I got here late, around 11pm. So most people were in bed already. I met a few, but pretty much went to shower and straight to bed. I was amazed at how how it is here. I thought it was hot in Korea, but this is something else. The humidity is almost unbearable. Even after a shower, you immediately sweat.

Day 2 was orrientation. There was 5 others who arrived before me. 2 aussies, Melissa and Steve. 2 Americans, Jeff and Jenn, 1 English girl, Katie, and myself. All came by themselves so we all came together nicely. We went over rules and regulations etc with the 'leaders'. Its hard to tell whos in charge... Then we had a Vietnamease lesson by some local volunteers. They taught us some basics, and its getting easier to earn more which helps a lot. That night four of us went out to a pub for a couple beers.

We got to go to the orphanges Thus and Fri. Theres 3 orphanages actually. 2 are for disabled kids, 1 is government run, the other is run by monks. The third orphanage is for homeless boys. Our day is pretty broken up. In the morning we go to one for 2-3 hours. Usually in groups of 3 or 4. We play and help feed the kids. If they dont have any volunteers it takes almost all day to feed the kids so they wont get a chance to get out of their beds and play. After feeding we all gather back at our dorm for lunch. Theres 2 dorms close by. Theres 13 girls and 6 boys so the girls is the bigger one with a kitchen, internet, tv... we take a 2.5hr break which is good. The work and the heat is exhausting. In the afternoon we go to a different orphanage so it mixes things up. Same idea, usually 2-3 hours. Supper is at 430pm. Lunch and supper are provided for us by a cook at our dorm. It feels like big brother, so many people living in one house..

Evenings are free. I haven't done too much, mostly walks in the evening, snapping photos.

Weekends too are free and filling up fast. Today, Saturday we had a tour of Ho Chi Minh. We went to a war memorial with 3 local volunteers. Best part of today was we were walking and Melissa's Flipflop brke and we were standing there figuring out what to do cause it wasnt very nice pavement she could walk without it. And a girl about 20feet away saw, and came over and gave Melissa HER flipflops, off her feet! It blew me away. Probably one of my best Vietnamease experiences. Hands down.

Anyways, we also visited a church and a market. The local volunteers are so sweet to take us around and teach us Vietnamease! Lunch was amazing! Had a traditional Vietnamease dish, pho. Its a beef noodle dish. unreal!

Tomorrow, Sunday, we're going on a tour of the Cu Chi tunnels. Tunnels people lived in durring the war. Also going to visit a temple. Next weekend is the Mekong Delta, a floating market. Staying 2 days, 1 night with my friend Katie from england.

The other volunteers are wonderful too. Its been amazing so far and I hope other people I know will do this program someday. Everythings been exactly as i hoped. Plans for travel are shapping up and i can't believe how much i love Vietnam.