Back in Hue

I'm on my own in the wonderful city of Hue.Yesterday I went grocery shopping at the supermarket and a typical Vietnamese outdoor market. I got some of my favorite Vietnamese foods as well as an American delicacy I haven't had in a while. I picked up vinamilk yogurt– so good and doesn't make my stomach hurt like most yogurts do, soy milk– it is sweetened here, dried peaches, jackfruit chips, some typical Vietnamese crackers, pomelo, jackfruit, and then wait for it... peanut butter! I figure that since I am on my own now I really don't want to eat every meal all alone at restaurants so I will sometimes just eat in my room. Don't start thinking that I am living a depressing, lonely, isolated life. Erika will be joining me in Hue soon and I already have had two lunch dates with different Vietnamese students. Also last night I hung out with twenty plus Vietnamese students at their English Club meeting. Then we all went to karaoke. The highlight of the night: singing Everybody Rock Your Body by the Backstreet Boys. I am proud to say that I actually had to look at the screen a few times to read the words. I never, ever thought I would be able to forget the lyrics to a Backstreet Boys song considering the number of times I replayed their cds. Things are looking up.

So I got to Hue via a night bus. I meant to take a picture but I never did. Sorry. It was an interesting experience. There must be about 40 beds in the bus because I was #31 and there were still beds behind me. The beds were adjustable so I could lie horizontally but the seat could also be converted so I was sitting upright. I had a top bed, meaning I was swaying back and forth the whole time. I really didn't want to have to go to the bathroom on the bus so I didn't drink any water leading up to my trip and only allowed myself to sip water throughout the bus ride. Yup, 13 hours without going to the bathroom. When I arrived at my hotel, I handed over my passport, received my key, and bolted upstairs to my room. I think the only thing I really miss about the states is a good bathroom. Honestly, it really is a terrible surprise to walk into a bathroom stall to see a simple hole in the ground– no toilet. I am way over the fact that there usually is no toilet paper, but I am still adjusting the the no toilet bit.

It was exciting to be on the bus all by myself though. And I really enjoyed walking around the city yesterday and today and not needing to be back at any certain time. I feel so independent. I am so happy to be back in Hue– this city is the perfect size for me. It is small and manageable, but there is lots to do and see. I am thrilled to be here again. Yesterday marked the official start of the Independent Study Project (ISP). I am going to be studying in one elementary school in Hue, originally it was two but I have decided to focus solely on one. And when I say "I have decided" I mean that the private school didn't approve me so I only have one school. But that is fine with me because I would rather focus on the public school, making my ISP a case study. The primary goal of the study is to explore the societal norms that are taught to young children in Vietnam, and how these norms are reflected in the current Vietnamese society. I will observe what the students are taught, the teaching style, and how children receive certain lessons. I chose this topic because it is directly related to both my focuses of study: anthropology and education. I love studying education so much– and elementary education especially because it is the first time a child has the opportunity to fully interact in a society, to measure up to certain expectations, and be taught how to properly behave in a social setting. All of these are values that can be taught in a home, but when other children are put into the picture a whole other dimension is added. Elementary education is crucial in the development of a child becoming a social being. Vietnam is developing rapidly and so much is balanced on the ability for citizens to successfully fit into and keep up with this fast-paced society; seeing how students are prepped for this will be fascinating. Obviously there is a huge language barrier but I am hoping with the help of body language, tones of voices, and translators (I am in the process of recruiting University volunteers) I will gather substantial data. It will be interesting to see where my research leads to and what I conclude. I only have one month– better get cracking.

On that note... today I did absolutely nothing productive for my ISP. Instead I rode around on the back of a motorbike, drank tea, explored a market, ate lunch with my friend Huong, and then got an hour long body massage in the VIP room of the spa (FOR FREE). I also got an invite to use a rooftop pool whenever I want. I am love love loving Hue. Tomorrow I am going to a pagoda with my new friend Hang. We are going to go meditate and then eat at a vegetarian restaurant. I am so excited to try meditating!