January 10, 2003 - page 2

After lunch and a little money changing, we were led on a tour through the old quarter’s markets. I managed to avoid seeing any dogs (thank goodness!), but I saw enough other stuff to guarantee that I will never go back to the market, the food part anyway. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get over that smell.

Following the market escapade, we were let out on our own to explore the city. Many of us headed to the silk stores. I purchased a tailored Vietnamese traditional dress, called an ao dai, in beautiful red and blue silk. I’ll pick it up on Monday, when we return to Hanoi from Ha Long Bay. Exhausted from a full day, we just ended up eating in the enclave that is the Guoman Hotel tonight.

Tomorrow, we leave at 7:30am for our trip to the sea. I feel so lucky to be having this experience, but it hasn’t been all easy. Although it makes me feel like a poor international studies student, I must admit that this trip has had some difficult experiences and not-so-pretty moments. This place is so far removed from anything I’ve ever done. I keep trying to figure out why, and the only thing I’ve come up with so far is the influence of communism/socialism.

I’m beginning to understand, however, that the uneasy feelings I’ve been having are one of the most important reasons for me to be here. My breadth of experience and knowledge will be so much greater following this trip. I believe this will make my in-classroom learning have greater and deeper meaning. It’s obvious that I feel more comfortable in Europe than in Vietnam, but being here and getting the most I can from this journey will make me a much better student of international studies. I just have to keep telling myself that the difficult / stressful / uncomfortable times are just as beneficial, if not more, than the easy ones.