Night Markets and Birthdays

This weekend began on Saturday night when Carolyn and I went to a night market right across the street from our school. It was very crowded but exciting! There were hundreds of booths and all types of foods…none of which we knew. But we tried the food and made some purchases and had a great time. We even observed a woman singing a song while she pulled a bucket up and down on a rope (not too sure what she was dong). But despite all the new sights we were seeing that night…I think our presence was a sight to see for Ho Chi Minh.

They smelled good but they were not what we were expecting

By now, people know where we live. We here the name of our apartment building in conversations between the people and one boy even knew what floor we lived on and proved that when we got into the elevator and he pressed our floor for us. Despite their knowledge of us, the Vietnamese people still have a fascination towards us. At the night market Carolyn and I discussed the idea of getting our own booth and having people pay to watch us eat the food they bring us….since, for some reason, they like to watch us.

Thought these were going to be sweet and the first bite was but then they got sour

Sunday morning we attended International fellowship. After the service we asked our friend Janell what her plans were for the day. She said that she was hanging out with the birthday girl (Carolyn). So we decided to go to the mall and eat some food…since everyone could get the kind of food they wanted. We met Alleta there along with two other friends from fellowship. We had a delicious meal followed with chocolate cake that the girls had bought for Carolyn. The rest of the day was spent in Ben Thanh Market and walking the streets of the Backpackers District. We didn’t make too many purchases but I made one that I will cherish forever. It reminds me of a movie we watched in training that made me fall in love with Vietnam! (picture to come late)

Taking a bite of the chocolate birthday cake! Notice the birthday symbol on the back.

Alleta and Janell

Sunday ended with a movie and an amazing seafood dinner! Monday arrived and SURPRISE…the Bien Hoa girls came down for Carolyn’s birthday! We spent the day with them walking the streets from across the bridge. We got back too late for them to catch the bus so they stayed the night. We ended our day of constant walking with a viewing of Corky Romano!

Motorbikes blocking the entrance and exit of the movie theater...how do we get out?

Isn't it beautiful?...it was tasty too!

The girls bought Moon Cake for Caroyn's birthday in the shape of a pig with four suckling piglets!

Now into another busy week of lesson planning and teaching!

Things you can lift up: I have been sick with a cold for the past week now. I think it’s at the tale end but I now have a nasty cough that hurts my throat. My attitude. I love it here and I am so excited but I can get so frustrated with teaching and with other stuff going on that I am not showing His love the best that I can. Also, my support raising has been pretty stagnant. If you want to support me in any way, lifting up is the best way but you can also donate at teachoverseas.org, click on the “donate now” button and write in my account number which is 209133.