Vinh, Vietnam (2010): End of Week 1.

The week ended on a high note. We really did nothing exciting during the week except develop our routines around teaching. As we were not allowed to leave the compound all we really did was sleep, eat and teach. Sunday we were finally allowed to go out after having a really big celebratory breakfast with all the priests. First we got Cafe Sua Da, then stocked up at the market before doing a bit of sight seeing. Unfortunately my camera died. I had no idea we'd be doing touristy things.

This morning we woke up at 5 and boarded a large air conditioned at 5:30. We drove about 2 hours to a remote village for one of the father's first mass in his hometown. It was quite an experience. The ride there we went over a number of very small bridges made with materials that would not be up to code in the US. Once we arrived at the church there was a lot going on...a parade of sorts with priests, nuns and even a band. We fortunately did not have to stay outside. Everyone moved to make way for us like celebrities. We had seats reserved just on the side of the altar with all the nuns.

Afterwards we headed over to father's family house where they had set up a feast for over 1000 people. Can you imagine that? Having to invite everyone to a relatively small home for a meal after the ceremony?! What was even more interesting was the speed at which everyone ate. They sat down shoveled everything in then left, leaving behind a huge amount of trash. Hung started gathering up some of this drink we all liked to bring home. Father Hoang caught on and had the church boys get a huge case of it for us. Some of the band members must have noticed that we also grabbed a few beers because on my way out they stopped me (JUST ME!) and put a huge beer bottle in my hand to take home. On a side note the amount of staring I have to deal with in Vinh actually is not as bad as in Hue.