Computer Access!

Hi folks...

We arrived in DaLat tonight, and they have a computer in the lobby!

We're moving on to dinner soon, so I'm quickly going to add a few notes on our activities over the past few days.

Friday-
We all worked nonstop to complete the school renovations in time for Saturday's completion ceremony. We jumped from one job to another...grout...grout clean up....paint trim...paint doors....clean up paint on tiles. We were on a mission. Once again, the teachers made us a wonderful meal, with pork and vegetables, chicken and vegetables, soup, potatoes (the way we Americans like them-fried!), rice and fruit. I think I'm finally getting a handle on chop sticks!
After lunch, as had become our usual routine, we played with the children in the schoolyard. My favorite part of the day. The kids hooted at our attempts to follow the Vietnamese instructions provided by one of our Y Vietnam hosts.

We stopped working around 4:30 on Friday, and all took pictures of the finished product-six classrooms renovated in a week. It was pretty amazing to stand back and see how much we had accomplished. Never underestimate the power of Y folk on a mission!

Another side story...

We boarded the ferry on Saturday full of excitement for the completion ceremony, which would include Ben Tre dignitaries, and Thanh Thoi B Commune teachers, students and parents. (I'll write more about the ceremony on my next post.)
As usual, the ferry was packed with people, cars, trucks, mopeds, motorcycles, bikes, our bus, and most likely a few animals. I sat down next to a Vietnamese woman, and she shyly smiled at me. After exchanging a few more smiles, I slid right next to her, and we both began to laugh. Upon docking, my new friend and I parted ways in the mass scramble to disembark. I found myself surrounded by mopeds, trucks and cars on the ferry, and trying to figure out my exit strategy. I felt someone take my hand, looked over and realized it was the woman I had just met. She took my hand and pulled me through the sea of humanity. Once off the boat we walked arm in arm until we both had to go our separate ways. Reminded again how much we all need each other.

Going to sign off for now. I'll post new pictures soon.

Take care,
Cathy C.

PS...could someone please send my a diet pepsi...withdrawal symptoms have set in!