hello all!

 Just to say i am trying to write as many blogs as possible but all our time is so busy doing things and again i have yet to wrk out how to upload my pictures! but hey ho!

so anyway have been to visit a temple - hung kung temple - that is set in the mountains and is supposed to look like the head of a dragon from the ground, all the way up their are mini little temples and there were so many vietnamese people that were walking up the mountain (about 500 ish steps up and then 500 ish steps down) carrying big bags of food and gifts and wads of money to leave @ the temples and there was so much incense it was like walking through a haze.

we have also been to visit the kindergarten and high school where we will be teaching in a couple of weeks. the children at the kindergarten were adorable - and we all know i dont do children -  the actual kindergaten is an sos village where basically orphans or parent who are unable to care for their children because of a disability send there children to the village. there is then effectively an adopted mother per 10 children, this mother must not have any children of her own so she can completely devote her time to her new children. the children were so unbelievably happy thought, they sang songs for us and danced and then we danced and played with them we were quite sad to leave but to have a whole week with them will just be amazing. at the high school all the pupils had gone home because it was now 4.30 pm but we chatted with the teachers who were so friendly and even the non english teachers could speak brilliant english.

last night we went to visit a vbillage hall were there was traditional dancing, it was very colourful and simple. there was only one person playing a drum type thing and then just singing but was very good. the traditional singing is done by all ages so is a great communal feeling to it, as we left to go to our bus we were followed by a stream of people.

we then stayed up drinking with haong - our guide - and the other guides and decided that it was time for some midnight noodles, didnt quite have the desired effect that chips and cheese would have done but still was very enjoyable, even if we did attract some local boys who thought they could get us drunk little did they know we had long mastered the art of throwing our shots of rice wine in bushes, spare noodle pots or even on the floor hehe!

the only thing that we are struggling with at the moment is the lack of electricity, the rooms are so hot despite having a severe downpour of rain yesterday. they turn our electricity off at about 5 in the morning and dont turn it back on until about 6 at night! we have had a few night time meals eating in darkness or by the light of my trusty torch! o yes and the ceiling fell down yesterday whilst we were eating - its ok no casulaties but still! i suppose its all about the adventure.

we have a free day today so have ventured in to viet tri itself where they actually have electricity so we can email and chat, tomorrow we make our way to sa pa via the night train where we will have home stays and see the hill tribes so will blog as soon as i can.

x x x x