quick acclimation

It feels like I have been in Vietnam for a very long time. I cannot believe that less then 2 weeks ago I was in Thailand. For all my whining and complaining when I first get to a place, I actually acclimate pretty quickly.

Dong Phoung has become my new home, as Crazy kim's bar has become my new living room. Except for Jade, I think my favorite person here is the DJ, who's western name is Bad Boy. Yeah, that's a little akward, but he's really entertaining. He doesn't know English very well, but he knows all the slang. So its funny to talk to him. There is an Italian restaurant run by Vietnamese woman. She smiles and waves like we are good friends every time I go by. I take this as a compliment, that I really live here and am not merely a tourist, because she used to try to get me to sit down and eat at the restaurant.

The second you step foot in Nha Trang, you notice two things; the sparkling blue water and the Vietnamese women and children peddling everything from postcards and cigarettes, to food and books. You are told to ignore these people. They will pester you, or tell you that they have no money and they need money to eat. I have gotten to know alot of the students who are also the postcard sellers. Now that I know their personalities and realize how great they are its hard to ignore other kids peddling stuff on the streets. They are very friendly and playful. You can just bust on them, and kid around with them, since they know a fair amount of English, even the ones that don't come to class. I can't go down the street without knowing someone, which is nice. Many of those peddlers mentioned earlier have stopped bothering me because they recognize me as a semi-permanent resident and not a tourist.

I like that I have become a regular, a constant. I feel like I always need to make somewhere feel like home before I can like it. That is how it is here. There was no way I could love this place as much as I loved Thailand, because I had such high excpectations, there was no way for it to measure up. It is interesting and different, but in a good way. It's more relaxing. I am learning how to be more independent. I'm glad that I came.

When I first came here, I felt akin to the tourists, but I realize I am not. All they want to do is party, and sun bathe. I don't. I don't mind being social, but getting drunk every night has not nor has ever been my thing. I am surprised at how many people I am meeting, and how at ease I have gotten with the process. Not just the staff at Kim's, but I have been befriending others who pass through, and talking with anyone. I need to become more comfortable doing that I think. I have the fear of strangers in me, that has been drilled in since primary school. While I should be wary, I think my acute fear of the unknown is sometimes unnecessary and often crippling. I am slowly trying to get over this.

Yesterday we took the children to the water park. All 6 volunteers were supposed to come, only me and Jade went. We had a great time, minus me being incredibly burnt. We swam/played from 9-11am and then had lunch. After lunch, we played card games. We taught them our card games, and they played bullshit and spoons with us. They also tried to teach us their games. The only thing we see from these games is that they all have cards in their hands and they slam them down while saying something violent sounding, then everyone else starts slamming their cards down and then all of a sudden someone is the winner. We have videos of it, and I will post them soon. They, like the Thai children are so bosterous, and always having fun. It's great to see!

Today Jade and I took some bikes and went out to the Long Sun Pagoda, known most for its huge Buddha, and great panaramic views of the city. A monk talked to me. Since I worked with monks alot in Thailand I thought nothing of it, but apparently he is not even supposed to look me in the eye. He gave me a flower, and touched my hand while giving it to me. I've already corrupted monks in Thailand(I played footsie with one, and another told me "I'll see you in my dreams tonight"). Luckily Jews don't believe in Hell, or I think that is where I'd be headed.

Tomorrow Jade and I are going on a discover dive, with my favorite rainbow diver Craig. I am thinking about getting my scuba liscense, but I wanna try it out first. We'll see then. Wednesday night, I am heading out alone to go to Hue and Hoi An, which are both very historical/cultural. I am hoping to really enjoy the experience on my own, instead of just merely go through it, like I did when I traveled alone in Australia. We'll see I guess.

Bedtime now, so we can wake up early and DIVE!!!