The first few days

You will be pleased to know that life here on the ground in Ho Chi Minh is going well.

I am beginning to get know my way around a little but it is still bizarre to think that this is home!

Some of things I have noticed or particularly enjoyed in these first few days are:

The tree-lind streets

Walking in the park with the locals at 5.45am (but not this morning as it is bucketing with rain) and seeing all the activity - the aerobics, tai chi, badminton and ballroom dancing.

Pho

Discovering that I can buy almonds!

 

 The electrical wiring

Beef salad

A close call with a scooter whilst walking on the footpath and realising that a 'green man' walk signal does not give you any right of way!

Motorbike 'taxi' drivers asleep on their bikes

Being collected by a driver to go and view apartments

When looking at a shirt being told I would need extra large!

The horns

Tropical fruit and coconut water

Wifi and lying in bed listening to AM with Sally Sara - plus skype and viber

Cafes just like home - well nearly!!

Realising that very few people smoke and that I haven't noticed the smells or spitting that were so familiar in Hong Kong

Men taking their birds for a walk and collecting their bugs for the day.

A man taking his dog for a walk from the comfort of his scooter

Discovering a gourmet food shop

Meeting new colleagues - Kiwi's, Aussies, Americans and Canadians

The contrast of old and new

An amazing electrical storm

The ever friendly and helpful local people

Learning about various places to eat and visit through social media

It has been a very positive beginning and I am very much looking forward to deciding on an apartment, moving in and getting to know this city so much better.

It is time to go

After all the organising, coffees, lunches, wine, cheese and a fabulous Christmas in July with family, it is time to get on a plane and head north.

I am very excited about what is to come - meeting new people and learning completely new ways of doing things. I am even looking forward to getting back to school and establishing a routine. Although I will no doubt miss the luxury of the last six work free months.

The weather, as you can tell from the 10 day forecast will take some getting used to, as will the noise!

Hopefully, my 4 language lessons will be helpful in some small way, especially as I establish my local pho, banh my and coffee sellers!

So, stay tuned for further updates. 

The Bang Bang Club

This very interesting book, by Greg Marinovich and Joao Silva documents the story of 4 photographers who covered the township wars in South Africa in the lead up to the end of apartheid and the democratic elections. These photographers witnessed horrendous violence, death and suffering, yet continued to work in the face of such adversity.

It asks very good questions as to the ethics of taking photos.

How do we help, show compassion for, or connect with the people who are the subjects of the images? One quote particularly resonated with me, “…Perhaps our pictures made a difference by allowing people to see elements of other people’s struggle to survive that they would not have otherwise known about.”

I certainly enjoy taking pictures on my travels, particularly in poorer countries. Is it a way for me to connect to these people, and feel compassion? Or, do I feel guilty for what I have and helpless to change their situation?

One of the final lines from the book stated, “We had not personally suffered like some of the people we photographed, but neither were we responsible for their suffering – we had just witnessed it.”

I believe this is an important thought to keep in mind and to consider the motive behind taking the image. Keeping humanity at the forefront of our minds is the key.

It was most timely that I then came across this link on twitter!

Photos of human suffering