Simple pleasures
01/14/2009
At the moment I’m feeling a bit isolated since the other American teachers seem to be away, my hosts are in a multi-day workshop, and the students are leaving for the Tet holiday. Still, I'm glad that I had this time to acclimate because tomorrow I will be meeting with people on campus to plan my work here. Today seemed like a good day to run a few errands. 
This morning I set out for the market, hoping that I could remember the way that Mallory took me. I knew that we turned down an alley (or street) previously, so after a few missteps, I found my way. The alley (or street) is a busy place. Shops open onto it, where barbers are giving men shaves, men are doing motorcycle repair, and people are visiting tea houses, to name a few. Motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians mix with dogs. After crossing a street I passed a stand offering soft drinks in glass bottles like we drank from when I was a child—Coca Cola, Pepsi, etc.--I suspect these bottles have been refilled many times.
When I turned the corner I saw the flower and fruit vendors lining the way to the main part of the market. The market itself is like a maze, and I wondered if I would lose my way. Stepping inside, I found the household supplies vendor, where I bought a welcome mat, but could not find the same vegetable vendor. That was okay because I found some equally fine carrots and tomatoes at another stall. I also selected some little oranges from a young woman with a beautiful smile. I said thank you in Vietnamese, and she said “Thank you” back to me in English.
It is a strange feeling being the only white person in sight—everyone is friendly when I try to buy something, but I feel surprisingly invisible when I am walking down the street, perhaps because everyone is busily going about their daily activities. Of course there are exceptions. I walked past a man sitting with some machinery, and he asked “Where are you from?” I told him “the U.S.” and he immediately replied, “teacher.” Then he wanted to know where I was going and what I was doing. I’ve heard that people here are inquisitive, but haven’t experienced much of that until this morning.
I returned to the dormitory feeling pleased with my outing, but after resting for a bit I ventured out in search of an ATM machine that would accept my card. I had seen an ATM station on campus, but when I got to it, a man (who I had met yesterday) suggested that I needed to use an ATM at a bank because a foreign ATM card might not work in this machine. Following his directions, I went, back down the hill in the direction of the market, but turned the opposite direction onto a much busier street. Funny thing, the ATM at the bank wouldn’t accept my card, so back to campus I went, deciding to give the first ATM a try, and what do you know—it worked! As I retraced my steps, I passed the little shop that sold the delicious mung bean pastries, so tasty, in fact, that I bought five! At only 1,000 dong each, they are a wonderful treat for someone who has been eating a lot of Chinese noodles and fruit! After that I walked around campus snapping more pictures. The campus is known for its Institute on Shipbuilding, which is housed in a striking building constructed to resemble a ship. From its grounds you have lovely views of the sea and of Nha Trang.
So, that’s the latest from Nha Trang, where I have nothing dramatic to report. It’s been just an ordinary day, filled with a few minor frustrations, many simple pleasures, and pleasant people. People are right--I have landed in a lovely spot! I wish I could share some of these blue skies and warm temperatures with my friends back in the Midwest, who I hear are having an arctic blast.
