I figured we might be due a little up date.
Here's a bunch of adorable little faces to kick start the action (I of course include myself in that summary)...
Fun fact: the word 'tim' in Vietnamese means heart <3
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIMOTHY GEORGE WALKER.
No prizes for guessing my favourite student in this motley crew.
As a teenager I often claimed the excuse that it was not my fault but that a certain teacher simply 'did not like me', clinging to an underlying belief that in actual fact teachers were bound to some secret oath to regard each student equally. In reality I have come to realise that this is definitely not the case. I hate kids.
That's obviously a joke. I only hate a select few.
I'm not sure if I'm still joking or not...
Anyway, the answer is middle, back row. The one making a fist. Goes by the name 'factory'. We often begin the morning by comparing muscles and monster impressions. Who needs language, eh?
Speaking of being lost in translation, as you know I recently moved into my house which is situated by a delightful small-medium sized body of water. (Without further research into the regulations, I am hesitant to categorise it as either a pond or lake). Either way, its wet and there's fish. There's a fair few eateries around said wet-area, I am making it my aim to visit each one. However I've realised that my grasp of the Vietnamese language is not quite what I thought it was and with one slightly misguided intonation I managed to order what appeared to be snail soup as opposed to the beef which I had intended! As Timone and Pumba once said, 'slimy, yet satisfying!'
I think I'm going to try dog. Just putting that out there.
There's also a 'Bia Hoi' (specialises in home brewed beer for around 20p a glass) approximately 100 metres from my house, I promise this had no influence what so ever over my choice of living arrangements ;). Last night I headed home early from our weekly teacher's drink as I wasn't feeling too good. Feeling slightly hungry on route I stopped at said Bia Hoi for a bite to eat. I was tired and confused by the menu, this must have been evident on my face as I was invited to join 3 business men at their table for a meal. Ordering for me, I was soon presented with an entire boiled chicken (head and feet included) and some fish on skewers. The fish were literally that, tiny cooked fish with a skewer affectionately driven down their throats. Teeth and eyes still in place. Tasted great! They went on to inform me that the fish were incredibly fresh, pointing to a large tank behind them. Doesn't get much fresher than that! Conversation was interesting and mostly focussed on the declining shipping trade of Vietnam, along with the recent death of a Vietnamese military general? Should probably look into that.
Teachers out for the weekly drink at 'Dog Meat' - boasting dog served in seven different ways. Don't worry, we don't eat here, just drink whilst some pet their rather ironic pet dog.
Sunday is the new Friday.
No idea why this picture is horizontal. Let's just roll with it.
As I mentioned in my last email, (I think) the rain here is pretty awesome. And with a combination of my love of walks in the rain and the park across the street from me, we spent a great Monday afternoon in Hanoi.
The women's museum is the most interesting place I've visited in the city thus far, in contrast to getting a pedicure (when in Rome) which is definitely not my thing. Hopefully going to visit the prison tomorrow, which should be another eye opening ordeal. Night time roller blading in the park is on the agenda for tonight, In my head I'm going to be as elegant and professional as I believed I was as a seven year old. In reality, I'm not entirely sure my health insurance covers such extreme sports?
After visiting the pub quiz two weeks ago we befriended the owner 'Jez', A fifty year old rocker from Manchester, depressingly the person I've met that I have the most in common with in Hanoi. Me and Olivia will be running the quiz tomorrow evening, with the wage of free food and drink all night. I've promised to rein in the Dr Who focus with a broader 'scfi' round. Should be fun. The pub itself feels a lot like stepping back into the West from the chaotic streets of Nam. Its one of the many places where the midnight curfew is overlooked by bribing the policemen who instead of closing the place down, often join us for a drink!
Anyway, I fear I've rambled for too long as I'm now sat in the dark on my roof terrace. I'm off for another food finding adventure before my skating come back.
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