Author: chyde

Savvy Street Skillzz

Picture this: You are in Southland shopping centre on an average Sunday afternoon. You walk in to your favourite shop looking to buy a pretty floral pair of shorts. “How much?” you ask. “Thirty dollars,” the shop assistant replies. You look from the shorts to her and decide that this price is more than you are willing to pay. “Twenty?” you ask. She shakes her head, “no, I need this money, it’s already student discount. Happy hour, it’s very cheap, 100% silk!” You know you want to buy them, but not for thirty dollars! You start towards the exit knowingly and as you expect, she calls out after you offering a lower price. “Twenty eight”- you keep walking – “twenty five – good price!” you turn and accept her offer graciously.

Although it may seem odd put into this context, bartering is a prevalent part of Vietnamese life. It was a very new and interesting experience for us to learn and has taken a few tries for us to master the skills.

Imagine if: The little man turns green and you begin to make your way across the road. You take your first step onto the asphalt and a massive truck screeches past, blaring its horn while you jump back in fright. One motor bike swerves in front of you and another behind. There is so much maddening noise. What you’re sure are Vietnamese swear words are shouted at you from a moving car. Now you’re feeling a little confused – you’re sure the light was green. You check and it is – this is just what a green light in Vietnam is like.

Of course, what you may not know is that in Vietnam, even when the light is red, cars can still go through (well, that’s what it seems like anyway). Crossing the road is a truly terrifying experience and despite what you might expect, is still equally as scary every time. But after a while the honks of the horns and the squeals of tyres become a normal part of life.

  
The bike ride today was relaxing (at times). Mr Hill didn’t push us off, so we would say it was pretty successful. Although Rose used the only bike with training wheels, she didn’t fall off and we were all very proud. In all seriousness though, he was a huge help to some of the less confident riders by being encouraging and supportive even when we got a little bit lost. We rode through rice fields and busy streets and it was so stinking hot. But despite the heat, the beautiful beach we arrived at was definitely worth the ride. 

   

   

  

  

Vietnam has presented us with many new challenges and cultures that take a while to become accustomed to. So far, the trip has been eye opening. Through sharing rooms with new people we have been able to learn lots of things that we have in common with our peers that have brought us closer together. 

We’re having an amazing time here and we don’t exactly want to come home just yet, but it has made us realise just how much we take for granted the help you give us back home. 

Love and miss you all,

Rose and Elise 🙂 xxx ooo

Made In Hoi An  
For some, it was an early start to have a splash in the hotel pool. For others, it was a relaxing wake up to be greeted by a delicious buffet breakfast. Our tummies were full and gave us the energy for the stroll into this ancient town. 

We found ourselves at the river which runs through the town for a peaceful boat ride. We saw the beautiful scenic views of luscious green fields and the beautiful water which surrounds this magical place. On the river, we saw big nets that would be lowered into the water to catch fish. After every hour, they would be lifted out of the water to check if they had been successful. 
   
   We took a short walk to a traditional Chinese temple that had been built in the 17th century to worship Buddha, Happy Buddha, Laughing Buddha. After spending some valuable time in this historical venue, we continued walking to our next destination. The Japanese Bridge was a spectacular sight. It was a wooden bridge which has a temple inside to worship. This bridge was constructed in 17th century to separate the Japanese sector from the Chinese sector.  

 

It was time for lunch. We were starving and ready for a fan to cool us down. We were able to choose where we ate. This was nice because it gave us the freedom and responsibility to choose something we wanted. 

After lunch, those who had ordered clothing at the tailor were able to go back for the first fittings. We were all pleased with the results and couldn’t wait until it was fully finished and we could take it home. Free time followed this event which allowed us to explore the streets and practise our bargaining skills. After an hour some went back to the hotel for some refreshing drinks by the pool, while others stayed behind to continue shopping or for another fitting at the tailor. 
   
 Our final activity of the day was an incredible experience. We were given the opportunity to participate in a cooking class. We prepared our meals and then ate them at dinner. The first dish we crafted was marinated chicken. We got to choose some spices and other garnishes which complemented the dish very nicely. For our last dish we made fried pork spring rolls. The meat was prepared earlier so all we had to do was put it in the rice paper and wrap it into the correct shape. These dishes were extraordinary and very fun to make. The restaurant provided us with some other selections to go with what we had already made. 

   
         We ended the night by visiting a night market outside the restaurant. There were stalls filled with unique items and there were lots of opportunities to buy what you wanted. Some of the stalls were filled with beautiful lanterns that radiated all over the night sky. We are definitely looking forward to the adventures to come. 

Jessi and Matt xx

Welcome to Hoi An

  

This morning we left Ho Chi Minh city for the last time.   

We boarded a private bus that took us straight to the airport, where we caught a domestic flight to Da Nang. The flight was 1 hr 20 min long but it felt much shorter with the help of some music and card games. As soon as we had finished ascending it felt like we were preparing to land. When we arrived in Da Nang we gathered our luggage and took a 45 minute bus ride to the ancient city of Hoi An that is well known for it’s tailor made clothes. The city was used as a secret trading port many years ago during the Vietnam war.

Once the bus ride was over we found ourselves at a beautiful and peaceful hotel. We had a short time to check out the place before we went into town for lunch. We ate lunch at a local restaurant. We were served some flavoursome traditional dishes that included pork, salads and noodles. We all left feeling full and regenerated. After lunch we made our way to the tailor called Yally’s where many of us began to create our own garments with the help of some experts. We spent around an hour there looking at different fabrics and getting measurements taken. When all of us were finished we walked back to the hotel.

  
When we arrived back the teachers allowed us to have a well deserved swim. We all eagerly rushed to put some bathers on and go to the pool. The pool was so refreshing and the palms next to it made it even more relaxing. After a first hot and tiring week in Vietnam a swim was exactly what we needed. After swimming we able to have a shower and get cleaned up for dinner. 

 

   
 
We gathered as a group at reception and headed out for dinner. Before dinner we were given an hour of free time to go shopping. Many people bought clothes and gifts for family and friends. the haggling with the shop owners was experienced once again with the standout bargainers being Duncan and Aaron. After we finished exploring the streets and shops we went to eat dinner facing the river. Like any other day in Vietnam, we were treated like royals and provided with filling and tasty food. After we finished enjoying our meals we headed back to the hotel were we all could not wait to get a good night’s sleep.

Thiago Jay. 

Another Brick in the Wall pt.2
  
The constant work of the Vietnamese is a trait that is hard to replicate, our western cultural values of independence and solidarity, but the Vietnamese are a strongly dependant community of people, meaning consistency and commitment are embedded in their culture. This is shown through the various platters of food we are offered at every meal, meaning this morning a nourishing breakfast was served to us to start off the day. Our next in the saga of boat trips from our home stay to the building site commenced. It showed us the same sights we have seen for the past two days; impoverished houses and boats passing us by, as our expensive hiking packs(and sunglasses) travel by. 

We arrive at the building site for our second day of work. Carrying with us the fatigue of the previous night, caused by the constant ravings of a pack of dogs and the infamous rooster, namely ‘Dinner’. Our baggy eyes were quickly filled with the powder of the site, as we routinely got to work, with our newly honed skills. Our achievements of the day before were a constant reminder of what we could achieve, striving us to work harder and faster than before. The conduit of our driving force was in the capable hands of the native tradesmen; assisting our amateur hands in their work. Despite our initial sequence of strenuous work, there were dips to every crest; so inevitably a series of lulls ensued; in which the Vietnamese continued to work, irrespective of their white colleagues’ leisurely activity. 

   
        Forever hard working, the Vietnamese showcase gratitude like no one else. The man we are building a house for, Đèo, has shown his gratitude through continual acts of kindness, whether it be helping out on site, fetching the workers refreshing coconuts, delivering things to and from the site or the subtle niceties he presents through his body language and his beaming smile. The pleasant atmosphere of the work site has created a sense of community; shared laughter from both the Vietnamese and Australian workers while building to a bond between some of us year 9s and Đèo’s family. Đèo’s cheeky son Tùng formed a strong bond with our very own cheeky Noah, later referring to him as “Uncle”. As our bonds grew stronger, so did the foundations of the building, which was created by the union of Vietnamese and Australian hands. 

   

All in all, it’s just a few more bricks in the wall, for our teamwork achieved so much today, we are left with little to do tomorrow. Hopefully this will give us more time to befriend the locals and celebrate our great achievement.  

By Jack and Max : > ) 

Hello Ho Chi Minh, we meet again!

Today it was time to say goodbye to the Mekong Delta and the family that kindly allowed us to stay with them at their house for the past four nights. We boarded our private boat for the very last time, travelling towards the floating markets, the fish sauce factory and the rice paper factory. As we passed the floating markets, we witnessed many small family shops selling a range of products from fruits and vegetables to fish and meat. Along the way we also stopped off at two family run businesses, which produced the rice paper we need for our spring rolls and the fish sauce we need for cooking. Each person in the rice paper factory produced around three thousand rolls per day, about ten in one minute!! 

  
At the fish sauce factory we learnt that each batch of fish they caught were stored in a barrel for around one year, and then opened to collect the juice to use for the sauce. The factory smelt very bad, so bad that some of us had to walk out because we couldn’t stand the smell. 
As we headed back on to the boat towards Ho Chi Minh, we got our last taste of the famous Mekong coconuts, fresh from the trees. It was very sad to be leaving the lovely Mekong Delta, especially after connecting with many of the people and making great memories here in this part of Vietnam. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and knowing that we have changed the lives of the family that we built the house for is heart-warming and a memory that we will always treasure. Our last goodbye was one that we all knew would be very hard to face. This was to our wonderful, talented Mekong Delta tour guide, Han. As a group, we would all like to say how much we are thankful for having him help us throughout our time in this wonderful place. He helped us build the house, taught us how to speak some Vietnamese to communicate with the village children and builders, and overall made our experience here unforgettable. 
Our journey back to Ho Chi Minh consisted of playing cards, sleeping, eating and stopping for the “happy house”. The bus ride went smooth and quickly, while arriving back in Ho Chi Minh, it was such a relief knowing that we could FINALLY have air conditioning back during the night. We freshened up in our hotel rooms and then headed off for a yummy lunch of classic Vietnamese Pho. This was such a good lunch and everyone enjoyed having yet another taste of this country’s amazing cuisine. After exchanging money, we spent the rest of the day exploring the Bến Thành mảket. A crowded, crazy market that was filled with many great bargains and many great buys. We also visited Saigon Square and the money in our wallets slowly decreased due to the many purchases that had been made. 
Finally, after our long and jam packed day, we earned a well deserved dinner. In small groups, we wandered around the streets of Ho Chi Minh and looked for different places to eat dinner. This was another good opportunity to explore the unique culture and variety of foods to taste test. We finished off the day exchanging money and getting all packed to start another great experience into the city of Hoi An. 
So far our trip has been one to cherish, and so many great memories have already been made and shared. Our group has become so much closer than we have ever been, and we are like a big family sharing this one amazing journey together. 

Chúng tôi yêu bạn (we love you) and miss you all! xxx

Amy and Grace ❤️

  

The final Brick

  

Despite our excitement to return to the never-sleeping Ho Chi Minh city we were determined to complete our part of the tiring yet blessed house build. With breakfast beginning at 7am we rushed through our usual-morning routine of shovelling down breakfast, wearing dirt-covered clothes and getting our essentials for the day ready to leave at 7:30am.

Upon the departure from the home stay to the construction site we dread the 45 minute long boat ride. We were all excited to complete our part of the new house for the family who deserves it the most. We grabbed our gloves and got right to work laying bricks and mixing cement. We assembled our incredible brick line it was almost as efficient as a conveyer belt. Towards the end of our time at the site, the group was delighted to see the excitement and happiness we brought upon the family. It ticked over to 11:00am and we laid the finial brick, the whole family gathered in a group to take a photo. Many photos were taken to remember what an amazing and selfless project we completed. The family delivered a speech to show their appreciation, their love and their thankfulness for a project that may well change his life and his kids’ life for the better. Nick delivered a speech on behalf of Vietnam Orange thanking the family for allowing us to build a house for their children. Departing the village with them waving goodbye we travelled back to the Home-stay feeling accomplished and blessed to have the opportunity to build something so great for people that have so little.

   
      

   

    

Being greeted with a delightful lunch back at the home-stay we divided the gifts up for the pre-school kids. A short 10 minute stroll was all it took to see the smiles emerge on the kids’ faces. Before we could pick who’s gifts went to who, the kids already decided what they wanted. As everyone in our group pitched in something, it was an enjoyable experience to see how they all reacted and how happy it made them all.

  A further walk down the path led us to the pop rice factory. We all were amazed at how sustainable they were and how they reused and recycled their resources. Their huge woks filled with sand helped increase the temperature to help it rise above 160°C. The crackling that was heard almost instantly once the rice was thrown in was quite loud. As we made our way through the factory we saw the magical sight of hand made coconut toffee. Before we made our way home we were delighted and surprised to meet our new pet… a snake! Don’t worry it doesn’t bite!

  
We are all excited to return back to Ho Chi Minh city tomorrow for another fantastic day!

Now for life outside the wall,        

By Aaron & Bailey