Wilderness in the City

After a typical blah Monday, I found myself with a brilliant fall evening (that also happened to be Halloween) and a new pair of boots that didn't get broken in last week. What better way to do so than going for a walk/tree climbing/off-roading adventure!?

It began with a simple walk down the Ice Age Trails, 2 blocks from my apartment.

But I soon realized that all the good climbing trees were no where near any of the paths. No problem, I'll just make my own!

I walked, and walked; and climbed and climbed; with the shouts and giggles of trick-or-treaters in the distant background.

There were a lot of fallen trees. This one was leaning on another tree, and was sturdy enough to simply walk up like a ramp, and reach the middle point of the standing tree.

I've also found a nice climbing tree that I intend on revisiting when I'm wearing sneakers instead of boots. I did get a couple confused looks from some dog walkers nearby. Apparently in their minds being a real adult means staying on the paths, but I would never have been able to explore a gorgeous willow tree I found if I had. (By that point it was too dark to see, so none of the pictures really turned out)

After wandering about for over an hour, I was in the middle of the trails park, and it was near impossible to see. The iPhone saved the day with it's compass. My apartment is North East of the park, so I pointed it in that direction and walked . . . through brush that was taller than me (photo at eye level).

I can't wait for this place to be covered in snow so I can get lost all over again!

Celebrating July 28 with Arroz con Pollo

With Peruvians celebrating their Independence Day last Thursday, Juls and I decided it was time to try our hands at cooking a real Peruvian meal Friday night! With the house all to myself, I took on the project full force. There are plenty of recipes for Peruvian food online, but I needed one that was not only authentic, but also relatively idiot-proof. We settled on Arroz con Pollo, with Aji Verde, and of course Sangria.

With grocery list in hand, I set off to the grocery store. After an hour in the produce section I was ready to call it quits. After all, I don't eat vegetables! So how am I supposed to shop for them? Of course the first thing I do is call my mom for her help, and of course she doesn't answer. I managed to find everything needed for the meal. Making Aji Verde turned out to be easier than I originally expected. But I still think I'm going to ask Adela and Rossi for their Aji recipe.

Cooking is always more fun with company, so I waited until Sarah and Juls arrived to begin in the kitchen. Andrew even gave us a helping hand. Sarah was very good at . . . supervising.

Going into the night, we had two goals: 1) Don't burn down the kitchen 2) Cook edible Arroz con Pollo. With the help of Juls and Andrew, both were accomplished!

Juls conquered the chicken while Andrew and I worked on the veggies (I won't eat them but I can still cook them!). Freddy was good at offering to order a pizza when the kitchen burned down :P

The Arroz con Pollo turned out amazing thanks to teamwork! And the Aji made the meal perfect. A cold glass of Sangria and we were all ready to celebrate Peru's Independence Day :)

We all had fun cooking, and decided to cook together more often. I have to say the clean up wasn't nearly as much fun as making the mess!

Skyping Around the World

Although not as exciting as traveling to Vietnam, the move to Madison, WI had its fair share of adventures. One in particular has quite the international focus, namely that since starting my job I have been skyping non-stop with the rest of the world! Daily chats with Mexico and Canada keep me on my toes while the regular conversations with Saudi Arabia, Chile, Korea, China, and Colombia make for some very interesting misunderstandings . . .

Even though I'm not going to be traveling much this year with my new job, my boss has already started making plans for me to visit Korea, Germany, China, Mexico, and various cities within the U.S. as soon as the one year mark has gone by. Looks like I nailed a keeper job! :)

but nurse! I swear I feel fine!

Yesterday blogspot wasn't working but Facebook was :) I blame it on Friday the 13th. The day has special powers to bring Facebook to blocked countries!

One of the biggest accomplishments of the entire trip was fulfilled yesterday morning: I successfully mailed 16 postcards. Hopefully they arrive before 2012.


In the afternoon we went to a medical college. The school was so excited we were coming that they hung banners on the entrances.


We toured the nursing, pharmacy, and the language departments. At the nursing dept I was volunteered to be the patient.


Tomorrow morning Hunter, My Hanh, and I are leaving for home. We head for the airport at 3am. On a good note, I checked my flight itinerary and the flight from Hong Kong to Chicago leaves at 11:50am and gets in at 1:20pm. So it's only an hour and a half flight right!! :)


Sent from my iPhone

bạn bè mới

Today was long. I went to Phu Sa Island with the French professors kids, two boys, 7 and almost 2. We saw the crocodiles getting fed, and monkeys swinging near our heads.


Then I met up with the rest of the group and we headed off to the middle of the jungle (I'm not kidding). We visited a sustainable family farm. The only way to get there was by boat through a small channel that breaks off of the Mekong River.


After supper, the 2 French students, My Hanh, and I went to the park near our hotel to have coffee with some university students who are studying English. I had a blast! They really wanted to practice English and learn all about myself and my culture. They asked the French students to sing a song in French. The Vietnamese students also sang songs in English that they like. At the end they asked me to sing one in Spanish so I sang a song from camp.


The photo session probably lasted well over half an hour but we were all having a ton of fun :) Too bad there were only 4 of us to talk to them. They were all very nice, and smiled all the time. They even helped me with my pronunciation of Vietnamese words. It was a wonderful experience.

Music Lesson

Today was spent in class at Can Tho University (not the campus that we almost got electrocuted trying to enter). The afternoon was by far the best part of the day. Even though the morning lecture was in an air conditioned conference room and the afternoon was spent in a hot classroom, everyone greatly enjoyed the Vietnamese culture and music lecture. The professor didn't speak any English but he still connected with us as we learned about the differences between Vietnamese and Western music.

I'm not sure if you can see but he's lecturing in Vietnamese and throwing some Chinese in there as well for good measure. I wish we could spend more time talking to the Vietnamese professors and students at the University. I learned many new words in Vietnamese just listening to him talk.


Traditional Vietnamese music from the Mekong Delta.

Vietnamese music only has 5 notes, instead of the 7 that can be found in Western music. E and B are excluded from Vietnamese music.

Cultural point of the day: The Vietnamese government blocks Facebook. I'm not sure if my blog can still sinc up with my Facebook but I can't see or post anything on it until I get back to China.

Electric Adventure of the Day

So the internet is spotty today but hopefully this gets through. This morning we took a boat to the floating market. Many people sell fruit on the Mekong Delta River during the day and sleep on their boats at night. The river is literally their lifeline. A pineapple boat pulled up along side us and we got an entire pineapple for 10,000 dong (50 cents).


In the afternoon we visited the university. The dorms for non-local students are very different from what we are used to. Imagine two hallet dorm rooms put together, now fit 10 people in them with no closet or desk space, and no air conditioning or fans in 100% humidity and close to 100 degree heat.

After a quick tour of the library, we went to see another campus. Trying to get in was the adventure of the day. First we reversed down a busy street (think 8th st in Moorhead during rush hour, or hwy 55 in Mpls). The power lines in Vietnam are much lower than the ones we are used to. Rather than cutting down trees in the way of the lines, the tree are used to help hold them up! Anyways, the bus was too tall and snagged quite a few power lines. About 3 broke and laid on top of the bus. Others caught on the emergency exit on the roof of the bus, almost pulling the exit hatch off the bus.


As it turns out, we weren't cleared to go on that campus anyways . . .

On a cultural side note, the heat here is apparently no match for the people's desire to have light skin. They will wear sweatshirts, gloves, and masks to keep their skin out of the sun.



Sent from my iPhone

Journey to Can Tho

It's 12 hours early, but: HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!

Although some titles of my past entries have referenced the classic journey to Grandma's house, the journey to Can Tho really did take us over the river (many in fact!) and through the woods (if jungles count). We left our hotel at 8am and got on the bus. A two hour bus ride was paused with a break at a local rest stop.


If this is a typical rest stop, I'm dying to see the actual jungle!

We then arrived at the Mekong Delta River. The next 6 hours were spent on boats, both large and small.


There are many islands throughout the river. At one point we took row boats into the channels and hiked across the largest island to taste some fruit that grows on the river. Honeybees are also quite common there. We ate honey straight out of a honey comb with the bees still on it. At the same place a couple of us got to hold a python.


I was the only one it tried to squeeze :P

Lunch in the jungle was . . . interesting. While there was enough food to go around, I mostly stuck with the rice, chicken, and stir fry. Don't worry mom! I tried everything, even the Elephant Ear Fish (no surprise, I didn't like it).


We got to the hotel after 6pm, a 10 hour trip in all. After putting the room key in the slot that turns on the lights and AC, the first thing My Hahn and I noticed was one of the desk drawers with a special label . . .

Nous faisons une maison!

Today's highlights started with lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. The evening before the van drove by it. Everyone was talking about how great it would be if we could eat there and see if it was different from one in the U.S.


Mi Hanh and I had fun taking pictures and shopping in the gift store but you'll have to wait to see who got an Hard Rock Cafe from Ho Chi Minh City gift.




We got to pick anything we wanted on the menu and for the first time since we got here, I ate my entire meal! (ok, I didn't eat the coleslaw)



Cameron, one of Dr. Rawson's sons, really likes to break dance so he was the entertainment while we ate.


After lunch we met with a guy from France who started an orphanage in Vietnam in 1992. The bus ride to the center was an hour and a half, but it was interesting seeing the differences between those who live in the cities and those in rural areas. The site can hold around 50 children, ages 0-22. The kids had broken up into small groups to work on arts and crafts. Some speak a little French. I went up to see what kind of art they were doing and a little girl named Fou tugged on my arm, handed me a piece of colored paper, and said "une maison, une maison!" Oh, a house! ok, I can do that :)



Our group made the prettiest one if I do say so myself.

Afterwards, we got to play with the kids. They LOVED having their pictures taken so they could look at it. A couple little boys figured out how to shuffle the pictures on my iPhone and thought it was just hilarious!


All over Ho Chi Minh you can see people squatting close to the ground. This little boy thinks it is more comfortable than sitting on the ground. I tried doing it and fell right over, making all the kids around me laugh. (I laughed too!)

Tomorrow we leave for Can Tho. It will take the entire day to get there but we are stopping along the way to meet various Vietnamese people from different areas.

Thu'c Pham

To overcome jet-lag our tour guide had us get up early and took us on tours all day. We went to the president's palace ( which has it's own cerca 1960s man cave) and to the Vietnam war museum.

The most surprising part for me was the food. I actually ate it! Yes there were veggies which I stayed clear from, but the rest was really good and nothing like we have back home.

After we got back to the hotel, we each had a foot massage which was really nice after a full day of walking in 95 degree weather.

Sent from my iPhone

Hotel

Our hotel here is the Lavender Hotel. I was supposed to be in a triple with two other girls but when we got to our room there were only 2 twin beds. The desk worker gave us a single as well and since I was the alum, I pulled rank!

Over the river and through the Rockies, to Cali we go!

The first leg of our international French adventure began in three different cities throughout the U.S. Trying to check in at the airport at 5am is always difficult, but even more so when security wants to see my Vietnam visa which I don't receive until I get there...there seems to be a flaw in the system. The flight to Denver was pretty empty but there were a group of Cobbers, heading to Las Vegas. I am now on the plane heading to San Fransisco; first time to California! We are flying over the Rockies. I managed to get a gorgeous photo with my iPhone.




Also I took a picture of what I think is Steamboat Springs, where some of my family live (hi Becca!).



I'm not sure when I'll be able to upload photos so stay tuned and I'll make sure they get posted eventually.

Sent from my iPhone

Are We There Yet?

Vietnam countdown: T minus 5 days! After graduation on Sunday my parents and I have to move me out of my apartment and back to Minneapolis in time for a job interview Monday afternoon. Hours later at 6am Tuesday morning I hop on a plane and arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam around 10pm Wednesday night. Even including the time change, it is still about 28 hours of traveling. So you might ask: How does one get to Vietnam? First I consulted MapQuest. For a website that knows how to walk from Minneapolis to Hawaii, they have no idea how to get to Vietnam. Lame. Well, the answer I found is: With MANY layovers!



I'm actually looking forward to the traveling (not the lack of sleep but there isn't much one can do about that). It will be my first time ever in Colorado and California. Plus I'm excited to tryout my limited Chinese abilities in Hong Kong! Hopefully I don't accidently buy a goat when trying to ask where the bathroom is . . .

Madison = Una Locura!

As I write this, I am sitting at work listening to Yo No Sé Mañana by Luis Enrique as I wish I was back in Madison with Sarah, Carissa, and Amjad, wishing we were back in Peru! Ah, what to say about Madison? Home to the University of Wisconsin where my parents went for their undergraduate, filled with stories of the Law School sinking the Engineering School's statute, followed by the Law School's doors becoming mysteriously welded shut. Having parents who went to UW Madison during the Vietnam War protests means I get to hear a plethora of interesting stories. Madison got days of due to riots and tear gassed filled streets, Concordia gets days off to help sandbag . . .

It is also home to my Aunt Mary and Cousin Carrie and her family. On top of that it is where some of my crazy and ridiculous friends decided to go for college.

After deciding that last week was only meant to be a 3 day school week, I drove home to Minneapolis on Thursday, with a necessary side trip to Chipotle (Duh!). Friday was an early morning as my mom and I left for Madison (well ok, my aunt lives in Oregon, same difference). After freaking out trying to drive through campus, my mom took over and dropped me off on State Street. I was supposed to try and find Allen. I told him I had no idea where anything was, but my mom had gone to school here, so he should find someplace well-known on State Street. Starbucks? I don't think that was on there in 1972, the last time my mom would have been familiar with campus . . . but we found it! In short, Noodles and Co., Cold Stone, Foursquare fight (which I won by the way), getting drenched by the unforgiving rain, playing with the tiniest dog ever, and an impromptu sing-a-long with Veggie Tales made for an awesome time. Note to self: dogs LOVE cookie dough ice cream :)

Saturday morning I had my job interview with Storch International, the reason for this road trip in the first place. It started at 11am. The next time I looked at my phone, it was 2pm! Mr. Storch explained the history and philosophy of the company. It didn’t seem like 3 hours had gone by. I found it really interesting coming from my studies in international relations. Plus we talked about hockey, so of course that took up a good amount of time too.

Supper with the Peruvian crew was mandatory. Of course I picked Chipotle :) Carissa and Sarah (my roommate in Lima) came. It wouldn't be a Lima reunion without baked goods by Carissa so we went back to her house where she made us sugar cookies! YUMMY!

I saved the oldest friend for last. I had been dying to see Juls since the moment I got to Madison. Sarah walked with me so I wouldn't get lost (which we did anyways. Don't blame the tourist! She lives here, not me!). Juls came sprinting after me with a flying hug. What better way to be greeted by a best friend than with a hug and a shot of vodka? She took us to a nearby bar where it wasn't crowded so we could catch up. Amjad made some room in his popular schedule for me was well, meeting us at the bar (sabes que estoy bromeando y que TKM). I think Juls will be apartment hunting for me before I even get the job!

Sunday morning, my mom and I went to the Newman Center, where she used to go to church when she was in college, for Palm Sunday. Afterwards it was 9 hours back to Moorhead. Thanks for driving half of it for me mom!

If everything works out I will be much closer to many of my friends. It was really nice to see everyone before I graduate. The next couple of weeks will decide where I end up for the next couple of years. Everything is changing so fast but I’m ready for a new adventure.

Final Destination: Ho Chi Min City

As the school year comes to a close, filled with research papers, con law briefs, and an obscene amount of French projects crammed into one week, there is reason to hope for the glorious day that is graduation. Walking across the stage with 600 of my classmates will start the 36 hour clock that ends with me boarding a plane bound for the mysterious country known as Vietnam. While I love diving into the unknown, Concordia wishes us to have a slightly more knowledgeable adventure. Therefore they have supplied us each with a book that summarizes the history, geography, culture, traditions, and religion into 168 small pages for our convenience.



Of course I will read it. I want to learn as much as possible in the short amount of time I will be spending in a country and culture to which I have never before been exposed. At the same time, I plan on making lots of my own mistakes while exploring Saigon and Can Tho. I want to try and say something in Vietnamese and make a fool of myself for my poor pronunciation. I was to get my hands dirty and see how life is like outside of the regular tourist destinations. Most of all I want to interact with the everyday people who walk up and down the streets rather than listen to tour guides comment on one monument after another. By going with a school group I'm sure I will be subjected to the latter. Don't get me wrong, I'm just as big of a history nerd as the next Cobber, but knowing Concordia, I will get my chance to immerse myself in the culture from the ground up. Knowing that just might make those 300 last minute French projects not seem quite as annoying . . .

Bonjour le Viêtnam ! Je parle du français

I am currently still in the middle of Blizzard, I mean Moorhead, MN but thoughts of international adventures still dance in my head. After deciding to take 2 semesters of French this year, I have been given the opportunity to travel to Vietnam with a group of French students from Concordia. Rather than paying the obscene amount of money for tuition I am traveling as an alumna 2 day after graduation! I'm not sure how much my limited French will help in a country that hasn't been occupied by the French since WWII. We are traveling with the students for 2 weeks as they explore French influence in daily Vietnamese life. We are also going to be volunteering our time working on a couple service projects. The details still need to be hammered out but I'm quite excited to travel to a completely foreign culture. It will definitely be a change from the 10 feet of snow and ice that we have here!

Donations can be made to the Send Sara to Vietnam Fund!!