Xin chào!

Hello from Vietnam!

Our whole crew is safely and happily arrived in Ho Chi Minh City. We made it through the obligatory 22-or-so hours of travel from LAX through Hong Kong to get here, but all was worth it when we finally emerged from the airport into the sunny and lively city streets. Our bus took us through the busy lanes of motorbikes and trucks to our hotel in the city center, where we got some breathing room and leg stretching. As jet lag must be fought with food and water and fresh air, we wasted no time in strolling a few blocks through the bustle to our first authentic taste of this country with a fine meal of Vietnamese specialties.

We then visited the first historic attraction of our program for an introduction to the past conflicts here. We went to the Reunification Palace, the site where the war came to an effective conclusion. Saving the rest of the lessons for coming days, we next enjoyed a well deserved dip in the rooftop pool of our hotel, which overlooks the Palace, and rested up before dinner.

At our second meal of quintessential cuisine, we celebrated Colleen’s birthday, on which our arrival day happens to fall. A card secretly signed by all and a gift of a goofy Vietnamese t-shirt made a low-key celebration. We will wait to do her day better justice with treats out in the city tomorrow evening, when we are all less tired and better acclimated.

It will take a few days to get used to turning out our lights when you all back home are turning yours on, but we will get there! So goodnight (good morning?) for now, and we look forward to sharing more soon!

— Eileen & Jesse