Again, sorry for the delayed post. It's been a very busy week! Long story short- now I'm back in Saigon... I started working in Hue at an international school called Cilios. The school and the students were fantastic, and I was put in charge of an advanced speaking class that was a pleasure to teach. All of the kids (and some adults) were eager to learn and participate and were very friendly. One class actually took Ben and I out for coffee after school... so much fun!
UNFORTUNATELY, Cilios is a Vietnamese run school, has very little funding, and could only afford to pay us 13,000,000 Dong/ month (about $650 USD). That is just not enough... And since Ben and I were tired of looking for jobs and moving around from city to city, we decided to make it easy on ourselves by moving back to Saigon where you'll find a new job offering on every block. So, we arrived in the city last night (Monday night) after a really, really fun 28 hour bus trip from Hue. Actually it sucked. We went from Hue to Hoi An, stopped for dinner, Hoi An to Nha Trang, stopped for breakfast, Nha Trang to Mui Ne, stopped for lunch, and finally to Saigon.
I've applied to a bunch of jobs, have an interview tomorrow morning for a job I really want to get, and will apply to more tomorrow afternoon. I got an awesome deal on a motor bike today, fifty bucks/ month for a brand new, never been ridden Honda Wave. It get's stares, either that or people are just staring at me cause I'm white.. or both. I also got a new helmet, this time one that wraps around my ears as well, a bit more comfortable and much safer.
Anyway, I realized today that my 3 month visa is almost up. I can't believe I've been here for almost 90 days. It feels like much less. I do feel that Vietnamese life is becoming more normal to me now, though. The insane motor bike traffic no longer phases me as much, I have almost mastered the art of ordering a meal in a restaurant, and I've come to accept that nothing in this country is ever definite or guaranteed. You've really gotta learn to expect the unexpected.
That's all for now... keep commenting, and SOMEBODY please visit me!!!
What no pictures... you're slacking Max.
ReplyDeleteIf you come out of this whole experience with one thing I hope it's to not carry your wallet in your back pocket ;)
Hey Max! Just procrastinated by updating myself on your adventures! can't believe how much you have traveled over the country for the past couple months - crazyy. but i hope you land a job in saigon and get settled (even though bouncing around has sounded fun). i would lovvvve to visit go back to Nam - but at earliest it would be summer when I go see my uncle in Singapore. How long are you in Nam for??
ReplyDeleteGlad to see your pictures and hear your stories - living the dream =)
--Ari
WOW . . . what an experience you're having. Your teaching experiences and the friendships that you've made are wonderful to hear about. All is well at home . . . everyone asks how you're doing! I love you. xxoo Mom and Jim
ReplyDeletePS -
Not crazy about the bike . . .
Max, if you can conquer Vietnam, you can do anything! Your persistence will make you successful- finding out that Saigon is the best place to get a job is kind of like going to a million job interviews here and then finally realizing that you don't want to work for any of those people! Trial and error. At least you get to do it with palm trees and warm ocean breezes! Love, Aunt Karen
ReplyDeleteMax, Sounds like you are on the right track. I'll tell you, I wish that I could get over to'Nam to hang with you and Ben. You never know....anything is possible! Hey, have you heard any good music over there? All the best! Uncle John
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