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Vietnam
Courtney’s Vicarious Voyage...
By Courtney DeSchepper
Editor: As Courtney
begins to wrap up her journey around the world, you might wish to
review some of her earlier posts. The links are below.
Hello from Vietnam! I spent from March 25-29, 2012. Vietnam is a very
interesting country with a lot of rich history. I was able to see many
different aspects of life in Vietnam.
I spent one day traveling to the Mekong Delta. The Mekong Delta is a
river that surrounds a small group of islands. While traveling around
the islands I was able to learn how coconut candy is made, saw fresh
honey being poured into containers, try some locally grown fruit, and
listen to live Vietnamese music. The way of life on the islands is very
simple. There are not many cars; instead they use boats and donkeys as
modes of transportation. I got to take donkey ride. Instead of horses
pulling wagons they use donkeys to pull them. This was a very relaxing
day where I got to see how many people in Vietnam live; with only the
basic necessities.
Another day I went and visited a school for the deaf. It was
fascinating. The school was literally in an alleyway in the middle of a
busy street in town. There was no yard for the students to play in, no
real place for the students to let off any steam. The rooms were small,
but only had about ten students in them. The whole school was only
forty-three students ages 3-15. Once the students reach 15 though the
students must move to another school, and unfortunately there is no
school for the deaf that is for older children at the moment. I was
given time to interact with the students through sign and paper and
pencil when sign was not enough. Even though I know some sign, ASL and
Vietnamese sign are very different. It was a struggle, but I enjoyed
playing charades to communicate. After interacting with the students at
the school I got to take them on a field trip to the zoo. The zoo was
interesting in itself. The animals were kept in very small cages with
very little stimulation. The kids loved it though, and in that moment
that was all that mattered.
The rest of the week I spent exploring Ho Chi Minh City. I saw a
Colonial style Post Office with marble floors and cathedral style
ceilings. Across the street I saw the Notre Dame Cathedral. This
Christian church had some of the most intensely beautiful stained glass
windows I have ever seen, ceilings that could make a pin dropping echo,
and pews made of native wood for hundreds of people to attend service.
I also saw the War Remnants Museum. This museum contained material all
about the Vietnam War. This was a difficult museum to go to. It really
made me think about the U.S. and our impact on the rest of the world.
This museum had anti-American posters, pictures from during battle, the
aftermath, and of the lasting effects to the Vietnamese people after
the war ended. I spent almost an entire afternoon in the museum
reading every caption and looking at every picture. It was so
interesting to see the opposite side of the Vietnam War.
In general Vietnam was a great experience. I would definitely come back
to this country. I learned a lot about Asia and the eastern part
of the world in this port. I am looking forward to arriving in China
very soon! Until then please read my blog at:
agirlaroundtheworld-2012.blogspot.com
Editor: If you
picked up on Courtney’s Vicarious Voyage late, here are her earlier
posts. Enjoy.
Courtney’s Vicarious Voyage... Getting Started
Courtney’s Vicarious Voyage... Bahamas
Courtney’s Vicarious Voyage... Dominica
Courtney’s Vicarious Voyage... Brazil
Courtney’s Vicarious Voyage... Ghana
Courtney’s Vicarious Voyage... Ghana Refuge
Courtney’s Vicarious Voyage... Capetown
Courtney’s Vicarious Voyage... India, Part 1
Courtney’s Vicarious Voyage... India, Part 2
Courtney’s Vicarious Voyage... Singapore
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