Hello from Tra Vinh, in the Mekong Delta (my new home). I arrived here about a week ago, and all is well so far. After Sapa, I spent one night in Hanoi and then flew to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). My friend Tam was waiting at the airport to greet me, and it was really nice to see her after 1.5 years. She was going to give me a ride, but could not find her motorbike keys, so we ended up just taking a taxi from the airport (she later found the keys in the bag we both searched through for 30 minutes).

I didn't do a whole lot in Saigon except shop and hang out. My first trip in Vietnam I liked Hanoi much more than Saigon, but I had the opposite opinion this time. Saigon is a nicer place to relax, but Hanoi is still better to do sightseeing. I needed to buy teaching clothes while in Saigon, and Tam basically chauffeured me around and negotiated to get me good prices. It's always nice having a local friend to help so I can get closer to local prices. We spent a lot of time at coffee shops too, so all in all it was a relaxing 5 days.

Last Friday, 4 people came to pick me up in Saigon from Tra Vinh University. The ride was good, but it did rain nearly the whole way. We had to take two ferry crossings across the Mekong too, which was interesting. The trip took about 4.5 hours with a stop for lunch. I arrived at my apartment and it is very nice, much more than I was expecting. I have A/C, Sat TV, a washing machine, a nice big bed and a small kitchen area. I also have a nice porch with a white picket fence, I just need to get a hammock out front and I am all set.

Tra Vinh is a really nice, laid back town. The streets are tree lined and not too busy. There are tons of coffee shops to go to, which is all people seem to do when not working. I have already enjoyed many cups of Café Sua Da (ice coffee with milk).

I was given a bicycle, and I have been riding around seeing the town a bit. I am getting used to the rules of the road out here. The bigger vehicle always has the right of way. A semi-truck will turn left right in front of you, and it is your job to yield to them. When I want to make a left turn on the bike, I signal with my arm and slowly start turning at a soft angle, essentially turning into the wrong lane and then merging into the correct lane after the turn is complete. My first few times riding I thought I was going to die, but I am getting better.

The one thing I have noticed here so far, much to my surprise, is that it is not that hot. Most days have high temperatures in the upper 70's or lower 80's. At night it is very very comfortable (the locals consider it cold). It is the rainy season now, so the temperatures are lower and we get rain everyday. We typically get about 2-3, 30 minute downpours each day. It has not been a problem so far, and everyone just goes on with their day when it rains, just put on the rain jacket and keep riding.

I finally got my teaching schedule yesterday. I currently only teach on Thursday and Friday, but I am sure this will be increased soon. Schedules seem to change daily and can be updated or completely changed in the middle of the semester. I am starting to get used to being patient about all this. Everyone at the school is very nice and helpful. My first few days people took me out to eat for almost every meal. In Vietnam, if you invite someone out, you are expected to pay, so I got a few free meals this past week. Ok, sorry this is so long. Hope all is well in the States. Stay in touch everyone.