Back in Taipei

So I've obviously skipped a few days ahead and now I'm back to the free internet at the Taipei International Airport. I have a lot of stories and pictures to post so I'll do things a bit retrospectively. I was journalling while on the Trek so I'll try to post in that order. I have some pictures posted in my public gallery. Most of them are from before the trek when we were touring around Hanoi and getting oriented, but I'll post the rest soon.

Hanoi at last!

Well I'm finally here in Hanoi Vietnam. Someone said it was 20 hours flight time--I'll need to check that, it didn't seem that long. Superlong taxi ride which turned more complicated after I had initially tried to emphasize that I had no Dong (Vietnamese currency) only US dollars--only to later find halfway there he only took Dong--and later finding out that the Mastercard network was down, and me unable to withdraw from the ATM. However at a random hotel quick run and exchange money stop, finally made it to the hotel.

The hotel is small so it was easy to find members of my group. One of the other people in my group grabbed something to eat and freshened up so we could feel human again. We walked around a bit just to orient ourselves. There's a beautiful lake in the middle of the city and yes a LOT of street vendors. Everyone's really polite and forgiving of my poor pronounciation. I took a few pictures and thanks to Chris--who found one of our card readers last minute--I should be able to post them. More later!

It's not down in any map, true places never are...

Well, I leave tonight for my trip to Vietnam as part of the Global Impact Program with the Seattle Community Colleges. We'll be traveling to the Mai Chau Highlands in Northern Vietnam to help deliver medical care to at least two villages, as well as helping build and repair local schools. I'm terribly nervous, excited and grateful for this opportunity.

Chris will be at home with the cats. I'll miss them all lots. The kitties can warm my space on the bed while I'm away.