We are back in the big city...Even though I spoke of my love for the buzz of the city, I have to say Ca Mau/Bac Lieu, with more remote country, has been the highlight of my trip.

For some purely selfish reasons this was my favorite part. My family came from Ca Mau, there are many ethnic Chinese in this region. Being here made me think of the many stories my family told me about their life there. I have two uncles, from my Mother's side, still in Ca Mau and they, with my cousins, came to greet me at the hotel when we arrived. I was so happy and giddy, this was the first time I've ever met them in person. The translation was rough to say the least and didn't sufficiently express my happiness I am sure, but one of my uncles speaks Teo Chew so I had a better means of communication.

Right after lunch at the hotel we went to the first school, for the completion ceremony for a two room school. To get to the remote site we had take a long and narrow speedy boat. It dipped deep into the water, it was a little scary, but exhilarating too...actually it was just a lot of fun. We got to the school and all the govt officials, teachers, neighbors, and kids were waiting. My favorite part is giving the kids their backpack and books, the process always starts out chaotic, but once us workers get our acts together placing the gifts in their hands and seeing the faces is great. Playing games (Huy is so good at directing them) is also great fun, their giggles and squeals are my other favortie part. It was a nice ceremony and at the end we had lots of singing...and a campfire with 'ritual' dancing...hahaha, which mostly means the YMCA people making the group do silly things.

7:30 rolled around and Chu Tuan informed us that the tide had made the water too shallow to take a boat. We would have to hike it by foor for about 100 meters then the locals would have to take each of us via motorcycle back to the bus.

The hike was pretty much pitch black, the only illumination being the weak indoor lights from the spread apart homes and the stars, there were MILLIONS! I have never seen so many in my life...and the ride via motorcycle exhilarating as well. We zipped through the area three per bike, with the wind blowing through our hair. I kept thinking about how lovely looking at the stars must have been for my family...and if this was the Viet Nam that they knew.

Yesterday we gave gifts to students at another relatively remote site and played games with the kids. It was a shorter visit and most of our day was spent on the bus heading back to Saigon. We also had to say a sad goodbye to several of the people that joined us back in Long Xuyen. It was great getting to know everyone and emails were exchanged so hopefully everyone will keep in touch occassionally. It was a sort of reminder that we all lead seperate lives and that the trip was reaching it's final days.

Today is a lax day, we will go sight seeing and head to Con Dao soon...more then...

QTM