A weekend with a difference

Last weekend, saw a change to my normal routine as I accompanied some of the local staff from AIS on a community service trip to help celebrate International Children’s Day.

My alarm sounded at 4.40 am, and after getting to bed rather later than I had hoped, this was not such a joyous sound. I arrived at school at 5.30am, only to discover that I would be making the trip in the backseat of lovely Lexus with Linh, a 15 year old (Year 10 student) – her mother was unable to make the trip.  A little awkward – but we had a good chat until she decided to listen to her music!!

We drove to the first meeting point, then the second and the third. It was fascinating to see different parts of Saigon – it just keeps going on and on, with the same vitality. Finally, we met up with some of the other volunteers, who were travelling in convoy on their motorbikes. A street breakfast was had – a delicious banh mi and strong but sweet coffee. The child of the café owner was not so happy about our presence, however, and howled at the mere glimpse of me – possibly the first white face she had seen. That is my excuse anyway.

We drove a further 2 hours north, eventually leaving the suburbs, finding ourselves among rice paddies, and I was certainly glad I was not on the back of a bike as road works made the trip rather dusty.

We arrived at the People’s Committee Building of the Tay Ninh district and there was a little planning before lunch, (com tam - plate full of rice with grilled pork) in the hot dusty meeting room – but Uncle Ho was keeping a close eye on us.  And, it was during this time that my patience was tested. There was nothing for me to do and seemingly very little for anyone to do – so, why such an early departure??

The local children, many in their normal school uniform arrived at 1.30pm and three hours of fun team-building and ‘It’s a Knockout’ type activities followed, but I was again a little redundant as I was unable to communicate effectively apart from the universal sign language, modeling and smiling. The kids were fascinated by me and the one other Western volunteer, Harmony (say no more), and loved having their photos taken.  

The similarities to the Simunye trips in South Africa were evident - the small, cramped classrooms, the dusty playground, the heat and the happy kids!
 

Afterward, Harmony and I were taken to a local motel, which was ten kilometres out of town. It was a great drive past rubber plantations, fish farms and we had views to a Fuji like mountain. The motel was interesting to say the least! There was a mirror beside the bed and our motorbikes were parked inside the rooms – perhaps the rooms were not normally used for the whole night!!

We headed back to town to for dinner – yes, com tam, but this time with a few extra vegetables and then to the official reception. Little did Harmony and I know that we would be the official guests! We were so pleased to be sitting at the head table in our shorts and t-shirts, presenting the awards for the best students at each year level. Appearing to be impressed by the six or so musical items was also a challenge.

Then, to the reception with the Tay Ninh council workers and another full meal presented itself. Chicken hot pot, plus the obligatory shots of banana wine to congratulate each other. This took place on verandah floor of the library building, of course!

We were safely escorted back to the motel at about 10.30pm and were able to admire the most stars we had seen in quite a while. The nights’ sleep was not particularly restful though, as a dog repeatedly barked outside my door and there was an alarm that sounded over a loudspeaker at 4, 5 and 6am!

Purple sticky rice with coconut shavings and peanuts was a welcome treat for breakfast and then Linh offered the option to go straight home .. ok!!