Sorry if this is another lengthy one. I have lots to say. We spent the most time in and around Hanoi also. After settling in with our gracious host, we spent the first day downtown to explore the history and culture of Hanoi. A walk around the lake started the day off, and we tried to catch sight of anything close to the lake that was interesting. We found a few stops here and there. Our map was a little old and the proportions were always a little skewed on maps. We would know after getting turned around and lost numerous times on this grand adventure and especially in Hanoi. Hanoi has many windy streets and our map was vague as to which street some places of interest faced. We went in a few circles. After a morning walk around the lake, we headed for the cathedral, but it was closed for the afternoon lunch/nap time. We had lunch and bought some tickets for the regional favorite water puppet show. Then we went back to the cathedral which was now open and free and very quiet. I wasn't supposed to take pictures, but I didn't disturb anyone praying, at least I don't think I did. Our last stop that day was the Hanoi Hilton where captured air pilots were held at the end of the Vietnam-American war. This is the same prison where Sen. John McCain was held.
Our next day was the trip to Ha Long Bay which took some time by mini bus from Hanoi. It was an overnight stay on the boat and somewhat similar sights to the islands in Thailand. The difference was it was colder, it was foggy and mysterious, we saw a lot more islands, and we did our own kayaking. The boat crept leisurely past the islands and those on board enjoyed the quiet and calm of this beautiful escape. One of the stops was an island with a cave inside. This cave had only been discovered about 20 years ago or so. It's as if you walked into a domed building with a bunch of cool stalactite and stalagmite around you. Impressive sights and cool to see the wonders of His creation! A little farther out, the kayaking took place by some floating houses. Some of the villagers were fishing while we hopped into their kayaks and took a peaceful ride around a big island. The water was glassy and the moment was majestic. The earth is the Lords and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.
The night ended with some fishing and not just any fishing. After supper on the boat the options were: karaoke, overpriced drinks, TV, or squid fishing. This was my chance to go squid fishing for the first and maybe last time. The only thing was, the guide guaranteed that we would catch nothing. It was winter and the wrong time of year for squid fishing. When it is nice and warm in the summer you shine a light out onto the water and use a lot of little hooks to just lift the squid out of the water. They are very small and apparently you could catch loads when the season is right. Peter and I only planned on doing this for 10 to 15 minutes. It was cold and it looked a little ridiculous standing on the back of the boat with a light shining on the water and bobbing our fishing rods up and down. A few minutes in, two Chinese girls joined us and wanted to learn some more about us. They were at the same table for lunch and I don't think anyone said much of anything. It was Andy, Peter, I, the two Chinese girls, and a Korean man all at the same table. They remembered us because we were so quiet - busting their stereotype of loud, obnoxious Americans. They asked us about what brought us here and we explained everything about teaching in their homeland and bringing people to the Homeland. They were very curious about the Book and what we believed so what could have been 15 minutes turned into more than 2 hours of conversation. We were also fishing for some souls that night thanks to this opportunity by the H.S. Only He knows what part we played in their journey for them to know Him. Perhaps it was the beginning of more searching and discovery about all of the grace and love found in the Light of the World.
We awoke the next morning to a misty scene around us. They promised a sunrise, but the fog kept it hidden from view. The rest of the day was just getting back to the city. It was a little long, but the views at Ha Long Bay were gorgeous and the fishing we did was one of the highlights to take away from our short trip outside the city. Our last full day in Hanoi started off at the Mausoleum for "Uncle Ho." They still have the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi. I saw it in this dark, cool room which required a series of checkpoints to go through before entering. No bags, no cameras, no smiles, no phones, no hands in pockets, only respect for the dead leader. It looked a bit fake and waxy because of the re-embalming process. Creepy! After that, we went on a search for a B-52 bomber that was shot down and sunken in a nearby lake. This was perhaps our greatest challenge to find. We found a museum that would eventually be about the B-52 bomber, but this was unfinished. We walked through alleyways and back roads and popped out at the right spot. They just left it there in this lake and (perhaps purposefully) built a school right beside the tiny lake. We grabbed some pictures and got out of there. We saw the water puppet show in the afternoon and walked around the French Quarter before going back to our host home. Doesn't the photo look like it could be in France?
The great thing about staying in Hanoi was free housing. Another teacher spreading the Seed in Asia graciously took us in and spoiled us while we stayed in Hanoi. We had some home cooked food which hadn't come our way in 5-6 months. Oh boy, was it good! Food definitely brings people together. Another thing that brought us together was our Fellowship. The last night we spent in Hanoi, we spent partaking of the Supper that is the foretaste of the Heavenly Banquet. She does not have a lot of opportunity to celebrate the Supper since her school is run by those outside of our fellowship. We all rejoiced in this opportunity and gave thanks for the blessings of forgiveness and this visible Good News to taste and touch our Savior. It was a glimpse of what will happen at the End when all peoples from every tribe, nation, and language will be joined together in the presence of the Lamb! We were all Americans, but far from home, we are always at home with Christ! The Good News is the same message in any language. May He continue to bless the spreading of it everywhere!
Last Friday, one of the Chinese co-teachers, David, asked the foreign teachers if they would like to participate in the Tree Planting Day the following Tuesday. I was a little hesitant because Tuesday afternoon was my off day. I had no classes and a message to prepare for the next Sunday. He assured me that we would be back around 4 or 5 PM. Needing an answer that day, I said I would go and experience this Chinese cultural excursion. Tree Planting Day is the equivalent to our Arbor Day, I think. Maybe the only thing they do here is wrangle up the foreign teachers and ship them out of the big cities on buses to throw some dirt in pre-dug holes (above right) with twig-looking trees (above left) ready for planting. We left our school on Tuesday afternoon by minibus only to go to a university and get on a bigger bus with more foreigners. Things were getting a little sketchy. I found out that we would be back to the university around 7 PM. This wasn't even my apartment or school, but the drop off point after the trip was done. Oye va!
This mysterious spot was a little over an hour outside of the city. We had a police escort and everything. The hillside was filled with pretty flags welcoming us to this special event. The area was nice and we could see some of the work done by planters from previous years too. We had to share tools because there were only so many of them. The five of us from our primary school (above left) planted three different trees. One of the best parts was putting a name tag on these trees (above right). We were all a little skeptical about how long they would stay on the "trees." The weather also helped ease the disappointment of missing a free afternoon. It was the nicest day probably since October. Temperatures were in the high 60s and the sun was shining. Not too far from the hillside was a restaurant where we had a nice buffet supper provided for us. It turned out to be a fabulous day. We got back a little later than expected, but we enjoyed nice weather, good food, and now I can say that I have planted a tree in China. I'm also asking Him to plant the seed in the hearts of many here. He's the one that makes things grow and what a privilege to experience and see some of the growth! May you continue to stay connected to the Vine who gives life-saving nutrients to the branches.
The only connection in the title is I suppose for almost every one of those 200 days I ate noodles. I really just needed to throw something catchy up there and use it to draw you in. Here's a picture of some noodles, the typical dinner for Peter and me. Underneath this bed of peppers and beef are some handmade noodles. If you stop in Wuhan, you should get some Muslim noodles to fill you up right. The side dish you see is some baked bread. Baked bread is hard to come by since they don't really have ovens here. So they put an oil-barrel-sized-barrel on a cart with a small table and wallah, a mobile oven. They throw some charcoal in the bottom of the barrel, cover the top with just enough leaving a hole to stick your arm in and slap the bread to the side of the barrel. In a couple minutes the bread goes from dough to warm, mostly baked bread. Good eats.
I will also try to share some info about the food I'm eating over here. Sometimes I stop by a little shop where a nice lady sells baozi. The first syllable is what you do at the end of a recital followed by a z sound. This little creation is bread filled with various delights. They toss beef, pork, spinach, vegetables, or whatever tastes good into this wrapped up bread. Then they steam it and serve it up hot for a nice quick breakfast or snack. 
After spending time traveling to different countries it was time to get back to China, err, well, sort of. Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. It was a British colony from around 1840 until 1997. Now it has 50 years of "grace" before the Mainland will bring it under its rules. We arrived in the early afternoon, but we couldn't check in to our residence until 4 pm. A couple hours to burn looking for snacks in this mainly residential part of the city became a bit difficult. We found a small convenient store and got some goods. Hong Kong was the last stop because it was also where our FoC retreat was happening. This is a time for the teachers to get together and discuss teaching stuff and be refreshed before getting our hands dirty again working for the Boss. After most of us arrived, we hatched a plan to go down to the track. I thought they were crazy to put a horse racing track in the middle of this metropolis, but Hong Kong has lots of money running through it and one way to spend it is at the races. We bought some cheap beers from 7/11 to sneak in, trying to avoid the rumored 30 dollar beers at the track. We got a 20 dollar six pack instead. We got there so late that they let us in for free, no 10 dollar entrance fee. It turned out to be a better night than I expected. Twas a lovely evening for a horse race.
The days in Hong Kong were reserved for various presentations by the faculty and speakers associated with Asia Lutheran Seminary (ALS). Yes, we have a seminary in Hong Kong and it is doing wonderful things. I hope to tell you more about it when I return. We listened to so much good stuff and it was great to hear about the broader work being done in all the other cities. It was also a time for fellowship. Other cities had their issues and obstacles and joys and we shared it and rejoiced in this special blessing of unity. At night a local friend took us down to the harbor to snap some pictures of the skyline. It was a beautiful night and the skyline was magnificent. Do you remember the Dark Knight movie? The tall building is the one he jumped from in the movie. O yea, I was there.
The next day we had a morning session of presentations and then the afternoon was free to explore Hong Kong. We met up with the local friend again and he took us to a natural reservoir on the island. It didn't seem like we were in one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Lots of nature and fresh air and very few people. Amazing! Did I mention that there were a lot of people in Hong Kong? I included a picture of what it's like waiting for a subway train. The heads just keep on going. We also found some great Thai food in Hong Kong that night. Sorry China, I loved Thai food and this dish was especially good. Green curry with beef shank served with a plate of rice. Delicious! Love me some Thai food.
Our last (official) day in Hong Kong was a free day to travel and see the Big Buddha. Another one of the islands has this massive guy seated atop a mountain. He peacefully watches the clouds go by and many who come from near and far to send up requests to him. Too bad he can't hear them. The need is great and the commission still stands. The final flight stuff went through and we spent the last (official) night downtown with some other FoCers hanging in HK for a couple days. And that's all, this is my last post about my travels. I hope you've enjoyed taking the journey with me through all the pits and horrors of international travel and all of the wonders and joys that this kind of adventure holds. Thanks for supporting me and all the other teachers here with your thoughts and requests to Him. I will keep posting and if you prefer to follow via email just sign up at the top of the left column on my page. May He go with you across the street or across the world.
Sorry if this is another lengthy one. I have lots to say. We spent the most time in and around Hanoi also. After settling in with our gracious host, we spent the first day downtown to explore the history and culture of Hanoi. A walk around the lake started the day off, and we tried to catch sight of anything close to the lake that was interesting. We found a few stops here and there. Our map was a little old and the proportions were always a little skewed on maps. We would know after getting turned around and lost numerous times on this grand adventure and especially in Hanoi. Hanoi has many windy streets and our map was vague as to which street some places of interest faced. We went in a few circles. After a morning walk around the lake, we headed for the cathedral, but it was closed for the afternoon lunch/nap time. We had lunch and bought some tickets for the regional favorite water puppet show. Then we went back to the cathedral which was now open and free and very quiet. I wasn't supposed to take pictures, but I didn't disturb anyone praying, at least I don't think I did. Our last stop that day was the Hanoi Hilton where captured air pilots were held at the end of the Vietnam-American war. This is the same prison where Sen. John McCain was held.
Our next day was the trip to Ha Long Bay which took some time by mini bus from Hanoi. It was an overnight stay on the boat and somewhat similar sights to the islands in Thailand. The difference was it was colder, it was foggy and mysterious, we saw a lot more islands, and we did our own kayaking. The boat crept leisurely past the islands and those on board enjoyed the quiet and calm of this beautiful escape. One of the stops was an island with a cave inside. This cave had only been discovered about 20 years ago or so. It's as if you walked into a domed building with a bunch of cool stalactite and stalagmite around you. Impressive sights and cool to see the wonders of His creation! A little farther out, the kayaking took place by some floating houses. Some of the villagers were fishing while we hopped into their kayaks and took a peaceful ride around a big island. The water was glassy and the moment was majestic. The earth is the Lords and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.
We awoke the next morning to a misty scene around us. They promised a sunrise, but the fog kept it hidden from view. The rest of the day was just getting back to the city. It was a little long, but the views at Ha Long Bay were gorgeous and the fishing we did was one of the highlights to take away from our short trip outside the city. Our last full day in Hanoi started off at the Mausoleum for "Uncle Ho." They still have the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi. I saw it in this dark, cool room which required a series of checkpoints to go through before entering. No bags, no cameras, no smiles, no phones, no hands in pockets, only respect for the dead leader. It looked a bit fake and waxy because of the re-embalming process. Creepy! After that, we went on a search for a B-52 bomber that was shot down and sunken in a nearby lake. This was perhaps our greatest challenge to find. We found a museum that would eventually be about the B-52 bomber, but this was unfinished. We walked through alleyways and back roads and popped out at the right spot. They just left it there in this lake and (perhaps purposefully) built a school right beside the tiny lake. We grabbed some pictures and got out of there. We saw the water puppet show in the afternoon and walked around the French Quarter before going back to our host home. Doesn't the photo look like it could be in France?
