First Day

So I just figured out that my hotel has wireless, so I'm celebrating with another post! My first day went fairly well. I started out staying in the hotel room and watching TV (there are about 10 English-language channels), and then went out for breakfast and a quick walk around. I got a SIM card for my phone and came back to my hotel to nap and read when Lewis called me and asked me if I wanted to join him, Tara and Jane for lunch. He tried to give me directions, but I couldn't follow what he was saying (cause I don't really know my way around here), so he swung by and picked me up. I had enchiladas (I know, really taking advantage of the amazing food here...), which were a bit disappointing (though honestly, what did I expect?...)

Lewis and Jane were going to the driving range after lunch, so Tara and I tagged along to watch (I hit one ball. After one complete miss -my 'practice swing'-, and one hitting just the top of the ball and sending it rolling about 6 inches forward and having to chase it down. I'm pleased to say that I'm quite the golfer, as my ball made it to the 50 yard marker). The high point of the afternoon came when Lewis managed to hit the golf cart that was driving around.

After the driving range, we went to the post office, which is apparently a huge tourist attraction because it was an old French colonial building. While riding along on the back of Lewis's scooter, I really started to notice the absurd things that people were carrying on their scooters. Because most people don't have cars, they're forced to carry things with them on their scooters - either carrying them, strapping them on the back, or having their passenger carry them. Yesterday I saw curtain rods; four big bags of ice, which were quickly melting; a bubbling, foaming something or other in a styrofoam cooler; and two lanterns. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for particularly bizarre things, and will be sure to at least write about them, if not get a picture...

We went from the post office to join Laura and Sarah (other teachers, some of Lewis's friends) that were going for drinks at the Sheraton Hotel bar (on the 23rd floor). We were there for happy hour, which coincided with sunset, so there was a gorgeous view of the city (which was, incidentally, quite smoggy).

After overpriced drinks ($10 for 2 cocktails - an outrage!), we went for dinner at a place near my hotel and I got bánh xèo with chicken. A bánh xèo is like a savory crepe filled with bean sprouts and meat of some sort, that ends up looking a bit like an omelette. They give you mint to put inside, lettuce to wrap it in, and chili fish sauce to dip it in (which was too hot and too fishy for me, so I skipped that step). Anyways, had a wonderful time, and now need to get going with my day today...