Picking up my mom last night was a breeze and I was so excited to see her and welcome her to Vietnam! It was a late night (we didn’t get to the hotel until around midnight) so after helping her unpack (kinda!) we both hit the sack!
Our plan for today was to head out to the orphanage. I thought it would be a good first day to go on the weekend where there are no other volunteers and the kids are in their rooms so it’s much more relaxed and less overwhelming. After a quick lunch of PB&J we headed out! On the walk towards the orphanage we ran into Nicholas (the man from California) who was VERY excited to see me (who can blame him..) well I guess see us! He was hoping to meet my mom (yay) and still had a few more things to go over on his list. He brought us around to each room to show us again what they needed, etc. Thoung was sleeping (so cute) so we decided we would come back. After a tour of the building (and rooms) and what we should get them, he asked us if we had been to the massage area (which we hadn’t!) He was saying how some older blind people (in their 20’s and 30’s) get trained in massage therapy and then give “free” massages at the Pagoda in exchange for room and board. The massage was very nice, although to be honest I think we both felt our time would have been better spent with the kids.
Nicholas was telling us about a second orphanage (not far from this one) that another monk had set up and asked us if we wanted to join him there in the afternoon. That gave us a little time with Thoung and he was all smiles when we picked him up from his room to bring him outside. But, Nicholas then told us the driver was leaving now which meant we really had to just bring Thoung back in his room. This did NOT make him happy as he through a little fit which broke my heart because we really didn’t get to spend any time with him!
We spent a lot of time with Nicholas and he filled us in with a lot about the orphanage. He told us that the monk in charge of the orphanage we visit is not a good guy and really corrupt. People think they are donating to the orphanage but really it goes to the monk, and he uses it to build new Pagodas. However, Nicholas said there was a second orphanage, which was started by a monk who used to work at this orphanage. The second orphanage really values education, while this orphanage is more of a warehouse.
We went to the second orphanage which was actually beautiful! Basically this orphanage is for people ages 18 and older (so some kids from the first orphanage will come here when they are older) and it’s sort of a “trade school”. This monk really believes in education, so they are working on building a school and as of now they have different trades they are taught, one of which is making incense, which is really cool. The kids also learn instruments, gardening (growing veggies), brail, English and I think construction. There is a third orphanage site that sounds like it is still being built so some of the people at this trade school were going there to help construct (although most are blind so it’s amazing to see their work).
After that we were exhausted. To be honest, we learned SO much today about Nicholas and the orphanage, etc. but I am just too tired and worn out to write it all down!
We took the bus back to the hotel and then headed out to dinner at..wait for it..drum roll please..PIZZA HUT! I know, I know, but honestly we were so tired and hungry and it was literally in front of us! We really think they must have just opened (like Subway) because there were a MILLION people working there (yes, we counted). We must have had 4 people opening the door for us and another 6 helping us to our table. Our pizza was so good and after a quick walk we headed back for some well needed showers and sleep!
Hugs and kisses from a very tired Julie.
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