on entering a city of energy

After some 30 hours of travelling, Rachel and I have made it to Ha Noi, a city that could define Energy. I've been in a number of cities, but none compare to this place in terms of active street life, traffic, and general hustle and bustle. The only time there is a lull in activity is from noon to 1:30, when everyone shuts their shops and takes a nap. There is a constant flow of traffic that is easy enough to navigate if you know the rules ("if there's an empty space, take it"); there are many vendors selling their wares on the sidewalk; and lots of people like to walk around the lakes or sit on benches by the water. I still get pretty turned around when we travel places and don't recognize the street to home, but I know that gradually it will become natural to me.

This week is dedicated to in-country orientation, so we're learning all about the history of MCC in Viet Nam, about cross-cultural communication, values and beliefs, etc. Our country directors are also giving us the grand tour of Ha Noi--we've been to Ho Chi Minh's masouleum, the communist buildings (pretty majestic with the old French architecture), the Temple of Literature where the names of students who passed exams are engraved in Chinese on old stone tablets, the Old Quarter (downtown, which was built long before foreigners arrived), the lakes, Craft Link (a fair-trade store that supplies Ten Thousand Villages crafts) and so much more. Next week we're taking a trip with the MCC staff, then after that work and language study begin in ernest and I'll move in with my host family.

So... all is well here. I'm excited to make this place my home. Pictures to come when I can get to it. Thanks for reading. I would love to hear from you too!