Author: jgourley

By Elle and Bella Cav. 

After a very long and emotional day yesterday, we started the day with; a few warm bread rolls, omelettes and coffee. Everyone frantically shoved their dirty clothes into our backpacks and went onto the rooftop of our hotel – to take one last glimpse of the beautiful village, Mai Chau. Everyone, exhausted and in need of a long shower, piled onto the bus and we began out four hour journey back to Hanoi.
Stopping off at a local convenience store so everyone could load up on their Stings, choco-pies and Oreos, tiredness finally hit which caused everyone to fall asleep for the remaining two hours of the trip. 
Finally we reached the hectic city of Hanoi and we were all pumped to find out that our tour guide, Hoang, had been informed that we would be changing hotels for our last night in Hanoi. Which meant we went from our original hotel, to a four star hotel which is conveniently located across the street from Hanoi’s fashion district. 

Before going to the hotel, we stopped at the Hamilton Prison and explored for forty minutes. Walking around the prison was confronting with graphic images and videos, but was informative at the same time. 

We learnt that the French built it, but used it as a prison for Vietnamese people. However, when Vietnam took over again, they used it for prisoners of war. They held American pilots there after shooting down their jets during the north Vietnam bombings. We were informed that when the French were in control of the prison, the Vietnamese were treated poorly, often being tortured and tied up with chains. However, when Vietnamese were in control of the Americans, they were treated much better, being able to cook their own meals and having access to contacting their families back home. 

We quickly ate at a traditional Vietnamese noodle restaurant which had been highly rated and recommend by Barrack Obama, as this was his only local meal during his Asian travel. 

 

After finally taking a well deserved warm shower, Vietnam Yellow set off for a very jam packed night. Evie, Lucy and I spent an hour revisiting the market stalls and bought some very interesting clothing items, while others went off to shop or find themselves a snack from Doughnut King.
For dinner, Hoang and his wife showed us another very delicious Vietnamese restaurant, where we indulged in spring rolls and various types of meat. Dessert, for most of us, was an amazing fresh smoothie. Whilst we walked home to our new hotel, we made our way through the weekend festivities which consisted of traditional street games and an intense match of tug of war. 

Now tucked into bed, getting ready for another very busy day tomorrow. Missing everyone very much and a happy birthday to my dad (Kris L). And mum, mangoes are great here (from Bella). Love Elle and Bella Cav xx

By Isabella Cam. and Chloe

We began our day with bread rolls, omelette, sausages and tomato to fill us up for the big day ahead of us. Today was our final day in the village and completing the house, so we explored through the market and saw the complete opposite of what we had expected. There were dogs heads, pigs ears, pigs heads, hearts, liver and many more interesting meats that the locals eat. 
We continued to walk through and purchase goods for the family we built a house for such as cutlery, pots and pans, cups and a stove. Whilst carrying all the goods, we were sweating so much and were very relieved once we had arrived at the village. We were welcomed by roaming cows, chickens, goats and dogs which was very different from our usual lifestyle. Hammering the walls on the house was our last job and only took an hour and half. Whilst this was happening Claire and I (Bella) created a sign for the family to nail onto the front of the house. We sketched coloured beach boxes and a large tree onto a plank of wood then coloured the drawings in with different paints. We finished this off by signing all our names on it. 

Lunch time was well deserved and consisted of rice, tofu, chicken and beef. We then had free time to have a quick snooze or explore the village. We played games in the sun with the local kids and then took off to purchase the cow we were going to give to the family. 
The family had always wanted a cow because they are very beneficial for the family and after a year it can have calfs to help make money and help them with their everyday jobs. A young local boy showed us a shortcut to the other village to get the cow and bring it back to the house. The path we took was very narrow, muddy and had the occasional encounter of buffaloes as well as their poo. 
Arriving back to the house was such a surprise as they had prepared food for us all to share as well as lay out matts for us to sit on. Mr Noi shared his story with us about his experience in the Vietnamese Army that he was a part of for 30 years and his time during the Vietnam (or what the Vietnamese call American) war. He showed us his medals as well as photos and certificates. This gave us a first hand insight to what the war was like as well as how it affected future generations such as the baby boom which increased the population by 63 million. After his story we presented the family with gifts we had purchased earlier and showed their gratitude through tears of joy and happiness that was shared between us all. We said our final farewells as we set off for our walk home in the hot and humid weather.  

At night we were visited by a group of traditional Vietnamese dancers from the White Thai group. They showed us five different dances. The first was a dance where the ladies sang and danced with coloured scarfs. The second dance was one with bronze money; a small instrument that when shaken it makes the sound of money coins which is said to bring good luck. The third dance was telling a story about the love market that takes place every month in Vietnam where people go to to find a boyfriend or a girlfriend. The lady carried a beautiful red sun umbrella as she danced with her male partner. It’s safe to say that everyone enjoyed the last two dances the most, one was called the friendship dance and the other we called the goodbye dance. As we all laughed and smiled we held hands in small groups of people and danced through the moving bamboo, the final goodbye dance included everyone standing in two circles while dancing, clapping and singing.

 

Today was a very emotional and extremely fun day full of new experiences. Missing you all very much, lots of love Bella Cam and Chloe xxx

By Lael 

Waking up at 6.30 this morning getting ready for a big day ahead, we were excited to help build the floor for the house and help build the roof. Coming down at 7am for a yummy breakfast, we were delighted to know that we were going to have the amazing pancakes. 

  
After brekky, it was a quick change of the clothes and off we went to walk to the village in which we were building the house. I don’t think anyone would ever get sick of the amazing 20 minute walk that we have to take every morning, being pleasantly surprised with the ridiculously amazing scenery that completely describes Vietnam in a nutshell. 

Sooner rather than later we were at the village and once again getting smiles from the people in the village and “Xin Chao’s” from everyone, with warm greetings always. It’s always a pleasure doing the hard yards for these amazing people!
Right away we got into bringing massive leaves from one side of the road to the other, walking up the hill to the house, where great teamwork was shown. We had very good technique when it comes to teamwork. For example there where little groups half way down the long 300 meter walk where we would pass on the heavy leaves and so on. After all the leaves were taken up to the house we used an incredible method to get the leaves on the roof, and we were all gob-smacked by it. What happened was a leaf would be put on the sharp end of the piece of bamboo and with the help of your partner they help push the bamboo stick up to the top of the roof where the village workers would catch them and secure them down. It was crazy how the whole roof was done in only one and a half hours and it looked so good!!
   
    
    
    
 Lunch came not too long after, and we really needed it. We had a very yummy lunch, once again in our little lunch boxes and then had an hour for a siesta.

After our nap, everyone slowly made their way to getting back into it and we were ready to nail down on getting the floor completed. Bamboo upon bamboo is basically how I would explain the floor. With the help of yesterday’s work, we nailed down those pieces and before we knew it, the whole floor was completed as well. I never knew that bamboo could be that strong and to know that it’s the Vietnamese main form of flooring, it’s incredible. The last job for the day was to bring all the timber up to the house. With the great teamwork and techniques that we used, it was done in about 20 minutes. 
   
    
   
After we completed our work for the day we took a beautiful walk to another village in which we met the cow that we were going to buy for the family that we are building the house for. It is such a beautiful cow and it’s one year old. We were told that the family will need to wait another year and a half before the cow can have calves and go from there. We then walked back to our house where we are staying and had our showers. We are now enjoying a great dinner, being fed very nice food. 

   
 Missing everyone so much back at home and hope you are all doing well without your noisy teenagers in the house. 
Much love xxxx Lael

Carien – I have enjoyed playing volleyball with the locals, even though we were terrible.   

  
Simon – Our discovery of the greatest drink on the face of the earth, sting, was by far the most enjoyable moment.
  
Finn – Going on the bus to Mai Chau was the best part of the trip because it was our first look at the Vietnamese country side. 

   
Annabelle – The cloud covered mountains that surround the village are picturesque and you feel like you have just come out of a movie. 

Lael – Walking up to the village in which we were going to build a house for a poor family. The surrounding scenery around us was one of the most beautiful sites in the world, almost as if it was in a movie. 

  
Sophie – The best part of this trip so far was going into the village and seeing the difference in styles around the city. From going to the crowded city life to the calm quite nature environment was a major change. I loved the village so far the most because takes you away from our busy life and let’s us relax and just enjoy a simple life that we sometimes don’t get in Melbourne. 

Chloe – Arriving at the village and meeting the family for the first time, knowing that we are able to build them a house was such a moving moment. It was such a warm feeling knowing how much we have and can do for others. 

  
  

By Zeb, Finn K and Austin

We woke up today in a traditional Vietnamese stilt house. Breakfast was different to what we normally have and consisted of baguettes, omelettes and some banana. After that we walked into the village where the house was being built and met the family we were building it for. They seemed very happy to see us. The first step was to put the frame of the house onto the concrete stilts. The builders were shouting out commands that no one understood and although we seemed to be in the way, we did get the heavy hardwood fames onto the stilts by lifting, pushing and pulling them as a group. After that our tour leader showed us how to turn the long bamboo poles into floor boards. We had to make around 30 between us and it was exhausting and hard on the joints. The locals had some very interesting and sketchy building techniques – some safe, some less so.   
    
 Next thing we knew, it was lunch time and we were called into a house similar to the one we were building. We sat down and waited for our food to be delivered. When we got it, it was like a bento box (Vietnamese style), and before we knew it we were back at it cutting bamboo. After our day of building we set off to visit the previous Vietnam yellow house build. On the way we bumped into some joyful locals that we’re excited to play volleyball. We later met the family and learnt how their life had changed since they had moved into the house built by last year’s group. 

 

   
 Although it rained on the long walk back, the views were amazing. Everyone enjoyed a warm shower and unique Vietnamese dinner when we returned and then had some time to relax before bed. 

   
Having a great time here in Nam!

Finn, Zeb, Aussie 

By Cal and Finn M

This morning we woke up bright and early to get ready for our trip to a village called Mai Chau. The breakfast consisted of pancakes, toast, fruit and asparagus (we were literally Vietnam yellow). 

Everyone seemed to arrive on time at the lobby and before we went on the bus to Mai Chau we decided to go to the markets. The first market we went to had 3 floors and was jam packed. We all bought many items and of course the boys in the hood brought sting (Sting is a Vietnamese energy drink that is highly obsessive, it tasted amazing). The second market we travelled to in our new Gucci wear was a food market. The food market consisted of many varieties of food (🐕). 

After the very interesting markets we had to go back to the hotel and get ready for a 4 hour bus ride to the village. As we got on the bus we were very excited but anxious to see what it was like. It was a long trip but with a few stops on the the way we were able to manage. 

   

   
 
Once arriving to the village we set up our beds and then got the big news. Trump is now officially the U.S. President, let’s just say we had a lot of mixed feelings about it. 

After hearing the news we wanted to explore the shops and the streets of Mai Chau. We were exhausted and came back to the 5 star resort (with 7 swimming pools, spa and king sized beds) – “Finn you fool why did I write this blog with you?”. Anyway, dinner was great and we had a variety of food from soup, spring rolls, chicken, rice, fish and chips. We are now around the table talking about sting and how awesome Finn and Cal are, like they are just so amazing it’s actually insane.

   
   
Out,

B0y$ of the hood