Still no sign of timetables so no idea what time I am getting up tomorrow, where I am going or what grade I am teaching!! I know they said go with the flow but this is slightly ridiculous. As the teaching hasn't kicked in, it still feels a lot like a holiday at the moment and making the most of the time to do the tourist thing before exploring further out.

I have visited Hoa Lo prison, the women's museum, Hanoi social club, the Hanoi stadium and the water puppet theatre. Might sound stupid but before visiting the prison I didn't realise how much worldwide protest occurred against the Americans. It seems like Hoa Lo had 2 completely different sides with the focus more on torture when used by the French to hold Vietnamese prisoners and detention when used by the Vietnamese to hold American prisoners. May be there was a little propaganda in the way it is presented though.

The Women's museum was also worth the visit its fascinating to see their role and status in this culture. Lots of amazing heroines here especially during the wars from freedom fighters to women who set up underground schools. In some areas the placenta would be buried in the foundations of the house for luck and some families would give their child a temporary 'ugly' name so the evil spirits would not want to take them.

We tried to see an international friendly rugby tournament at the stadium however crossed wires meant we turned up at half 1 after it had finished - oops. Still was nice to walk around in the sun yesterday before back to rainstorms today! I am getting the hang of the local buses and now I have my map have found new places to go and explore around Hanoi. The buses here are interesting any slight hesitation getting on and they simply drive away but they are so much cheaper than taxis, especially when on your own or in a pair, and they are fairly reliable. I think this trip will spoil a regular beach holiday for me - exploring on foot and using local transport is much more interesting than arranged trips out.

I have never been high but I imagine the water puppet theatre show bring you close to that feeling. Again well worth seeing but one of thee strangest experiences I've had. No pictures from this I'm afraid as I was too cheap to pay the extra 60p to use a camera! Already thinking in dong - going to find it so difficult spending more than £5 on anything when I get home!!!

Also attended a school's opening ceremony this week although when we were introduced the principle didn't seem bothered or pleased to see us. We just sat in a room, then listened to a lot of speeches before a group of girls sang and danced to it's a small world - definitely the highlight of another wet day.

Anyway enough about the cultural stuff and back to the madness. Motorbike update - this week we have seen a man wearing what must have been at least a 50" TV like a backpack, stacks of deck chairs and a 5m steel pole! Some of the others saw a monkey on a bike hangover style - gutted I missed that one!

We are still managing somehow to coordinate nights out for 26 people although how we all stay together I don't know. Out for another couple of birthdays last night at the local beer place (drinking our own shop bought Vodka aswell). Have found the perfect drunk food now - bread roll with a hotdog and an omelette inside it for 60p - pure stodge heaven. Experienced my first squat loo aswell but had stage fright or something as I couldn't go!! We made some more new Vietnamese friends who had never seen such a big group of boys and girls out together before.

We moved on to a karaoke bar where you get your own private booth and kicked off with total eclipse of the heart (Matt you have ruined this song for me forever). Some random guy seemed to join us and completely took over putting random Vietnamese songs on. Be aware though they tried to rip us off charging for things we hadn't had so keep track of what you have.

Still loving the whole experience (well except for being messed around by the company) and missing home a bit but no regrets.

Carpe Diem!!!

Anyway enough of my ramblings for now. Will hopefully be able to fill you in on some actual teaching next week!