Day 8-- I'm a tunnel rat

Today we went to the Cu Chi Tunnels (a hot but very cool experience). We got on a bus and went about an hour and a half north to Cu Chi. We arrived and sat through a short video presentation after Professor Berman spoke about the war and a little history of the area and after Snowball (Pete) spoke about the tunnels as structures and how they were made/worked. An interesting thing about the video we watched was that it was in the perspective of the Vietnamese. From what I could understand from the video, the Vietnamese considered the Americans "Devils" and thought their infiltration was unnecessary. I think understanding both sides is important in understanding the history of the entire war and in understanding America's role in Vietnam. Another interesting thing that I learned watching the video was that there was a large number of female soldiers in the Vietnamese army. Many girls/women lost their families early on in the war, and to honor their families they would put on a uniform and fight. I consider these women some of the bravest in the world (along with all the soldiers that fought in the war). 

The video ended and we were able to go into the tunnels and walk around in them. (By "walk" I mean crawl, on hands and knees sometimes). We went through three tunnels overall but the first one gave me a funny feeling. Being down in the tunnels didn't seem real to me but I know it was very real for the people running through them over 40 years ago. I felt a small rush of excitement crawling through the tunnels which I assume would have probably been fear and adrenaline 40 years ago. Overall, crawling through the tunnels was a cool way to see history instead of just reading about it. Another amazing thing about the tunnels was the sheer engineering aspect of them. There were multiple rooms, different levels of tunnels, breathing holes that were camouflaged above ground, etc. The tunnels were only just big enough for the Vietnamese people to crawl through, which stopped a lot of Americans from invading them (American peopel are much larger than Vietnamese people). The Americans that were able to crawl through the tunnels were called "tunnel rats". Call me a tunnel rat. 

After the tunnels we made a few more stops. We went to a temple (don't know the name of it:() that was built to commemorate the Vietnamese soldiers that had lost their lives in the war. Next we went to the cemetery where the people who had died in the war were buried. Both places were very beautiful but also gave me chills. Some of the art on the temple walls displayed scenes from the war, women and children running from men with guns. Not a nice picture really. 

Snowball speaks about tunnels

Our tour guide

Walking through the forest (the paths we were on were not there 40 years ago)

Inside the Temple commemorating the soldiers who have died during the war

Cemetery of the Vietnamese soldiers

Day 7-- It's been a week already? It's been a week already:(

Time flies when you're in Vietnam. 

Today we rolled out of the hotel with a full squad (something Bry Guy was probably very grateful for). We went to UEF for more culture and language classes. Language class was not as enthusiastic as it normally is, probably because we were all very tired. We quickly relocated to the canteen for a fast lunch and then it was off to the U.S. Consulate where we met with a few diplomats who explained to us what they do and how they got involved with working at the Consulate. All four representative were very passionate about their jobs and seemed to really enjoy what they do. We were then given a short tour of the Consulate, which was once the Embassy before it was moved to Hanoi. This was the Embassy that was attacked during the Tet Offensive. Both Americans and Vietnamese people died on the grounds we were standing on, fighting for their respective countries. The little history lesson gave me chills and I felt grateful yet again for my opportunity to come to Vietnam. After the U.S. Consulate we walked over to the American Center where we spent time with nearly 60 Vietnamese students and young adults. The event was a Q&A, where the Vietnamese students asked us (the American students) questions about higher education and just American life in general. It was probably one of the more fun activities we have done on this trip so far. Everyone seemed very interested in what I had to say about my life as an American and it made me feel that I might take for granted a lot of things in my life (like my family, my freedoms, and my education. In fact I definitely take for granted a lot of those things). 

We then came back to the hotel and a couple of us went to the pool to cool off (it was extraordinarily hot today, what's new?). Next on the agenda was GIRLS NIGHT OUT. The seven and us and Kate (i.e goddess of beauty and helping us cross the street) went shopping and brought dinner back to the hotel with us. 
(***all of this was after we tried on our ao dai!!) 

Tomorrow we go to the Cu Chi Tunnels, stay tuned...

Aster with an Ao Dai pants, business casual-cool dress combo

I wasn't supposed to take a picture of this, but--the Vietnamese plaque commemorating the Vietnamese soldiers that died during the Tet Offensive at the U.S Embassy.

Casual photo shoot in the lobby (EVERYONE was taking pictures)

cute puppy

Day 6-- The day is just getting started...

Before class today we took a short field trip to the Jade Emperor Pagoda (a Taoist temple). Although we had no guide to give us a history of the temple, it was amazing to see that in the midst of a bustling city like Ho Chi Minh, a peaceful temple can exist and be used everyday. 

Afterwards, we went to culture class at UEF. We got through one lesson and my favorite part was when the teacher was speaking about a place in central Vietnam called Hue. The teacher went in depth with a discussion about the kind of house that a family in Hue lives in. What was the most interesting to me was that in order to enter the house, you needed to walk up some stairs. There was not just one staircase, but two staircases--one staircase for men and the other for women. We were told men and women are supposed to walk up different stairs out of respect for the family. Another thing he mentioned was that the woman is the most important person in the household--who run the world? GIRLS. 

The company visit today was to Glass Egg. Glass Egg is a digital media company that specializes in art for mostly video games. They create lots of cars, characters, and weapons to be used in games for all kinds of consoles. The company was very cool, just like its owners. Each had their own story that they shared with us and it goes to show you that success can come from anywhere. 

Glass Egg also had a really neat work environment. There were multiple clusters of open desks with two computer monitors per station. Each cluster had about five or six people working on their individual projects. Everything was very close together and dimmed (people who work on computers don’t like sunlight very much). I also noticed that most of the employees were rather young. Another interesting thing about Glass Egg is the training they give to employees. Employees are expected to come with some sort of art abilities (because artistic skill cannot be taught) but how to use the computers and technology is taught after the job is offered and accepted. I feel like this is usually done in any job but is critical for this kind of job.

The rest of the day has so far consisted of being fitted for tailored suits and will consist of going to Lush (a club owned by the owners of Glass Egg).

Outside the Jade Emperor Pagoda

Inside the Jade Emperor Pagoda

THE Jade Emperor Pagoda

Day 5-- I think I'm a real traveler now...

Short blog post today. What's a trip to another country without stomach issues and the like? Well here I am sitting on my bed in the hotel as the group is at UEF for class and then off to the U.S. Commercial Service. 
It feels like a waste of a day but I know I made the right decision to stay in. 

The best part of the day has been having my Vietnamese friends message me on Facebook asking if I am alright! They are so kind and thoughtful and I feel very lucky to have met them. 

Here are some selfies from yesterday--enjoy!

Arielle and me at PMH

Sunny and me!

Pete (Snowball), Allen, and me at our street food buffet. (I see you, Aster ;))

Putting the flash on I think...

Day 4-- Cám o'n!

This means "thank you", the only two words we ever need and the only two words we can't seem to remember. 

The day started (as usual) with breakfast in the hotel and language class at UEF. We also participated in a lecture on Urban Development in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh in particular. My favorite part of the discussion was when the professor began explaining what Phu My Hung is. Phu My Hung is an urban development company that has taken uninhabited land/marshland in Ho Chin Minh and has created a sort-of utopian community with schools, hospitals, residencies, and businesses. It's definitely some of the most up-scale living in Ho Chi Minh. The best part of the conversation was just watching the professor as he was speaking. He lit up with joy when explaining Phu My Hung. It was very clear that the community appreciates what PMH is doing. 

Coincidentally, we also visited PMH today as well. It was our first company site visit of the trip and I think it went well. I was slightly nervous for this trip because PMH was the company that my group had researched. We were responsible for the Q&A session and our active participation was going to be graded.

The most interesting part of the day for me was the bus ride to PMH. I was sitting by myself towards the front of the bus when we made a stop before we reached PMH. At this stop a few Vietnamese people boarded the bus. A young man (I think he said he was about 26 years old) sat next to me. I didn’t catch his name but he said he was recently hired by PHM in its human relations department. He was on his way to PMH for his orientation. He also mentioned that he was in the process of completing a master’s degree. He said he was working during the day and taking classes at night. I think this says something about the ambitions of young Vietnamese people and about PHM as an employer. Young Vietnamese people are making themselves as marketable as possible by pursuing higher education and I believe that is what’s going to make the country more productive as a whole. As for PMH, people look for places to work that have some sort of flexibility and can accommodate them as best as possible. Happy employees means better and more business for PMH.

 In the end I think everyone was very interested in the company and the Q&A ended up being something I shouldn't have worried about. The rest of the visit consisted of a short bus tour of the City Center and then my group and I presented the Vice President of the company with gifts from Pittsburgh. 

We got back to the hotel around 6 and Kate (the president of the English club at UEF and the most beautiful person you will ever meet) met us and gave us Bubble Tea drinks (which were yummy). A little later we met other Vietnamese students outside the lobby and went to dinner. We went to a restaurant that specialized in Pho, a traditional Vietnamese soup dish with meat and noodles. It washttp://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RLMNZ6xY6YY

Afterwards we went to a small park/sitting area next to the Notre Dame Cathedral for more food. We sat around a makeshift table of newspapers on the ground and were presented with a variety of street food. Most of the food was very good and I probably shouldn't have eaten as much as I did. 

We then kept walking around being our American selves--loud and confused. We bought little toys to sling shot in the air which was super fun. 

The night officially ended after a fun trip to a night club of sorts (which would probably have been better on a weekend night). Nonetheless it was a fun, eventful day. 

Me and Arielle at Phu My Hung

Model of the Crescent at PMH

PHO

Selfies on selfies

Street food buffet!