The firts 3 weeks.

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Trip Start Jan 04, 2008 Trip End Ongoing Next
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  Hanoi, Vietnam
Sunday, January 27, 2008

Around May, 2007, Jenny and I started to think about our options for the next few years.. We had been teaching at the same school for the last 14 years and felt we needed to do something different. After speaking to a friend regarding International schools, we enlisted with Search Associates and began looking seriously. One thing lead to another and we successfully secured teaching positions at the United Nations International School of Hanoi (UNIS), starting on 7th January, 2008 with 18-month contracts.

With only 8 weeks to pack up out house, organise our personal affairs, and finish the school year, we were in a constant state of apprehension and second thoughts about the whole thing. many times we felt it would  be much easier to forget the whole thing and just keep on doing what we had always done.Hoverer, it all got organised, we said out good-byes ( very emotionally draining) and ended up in Hanoi

Fisherman's hut

.

Our first 2 weeks were spent at the Sheraton Hotel, which I have to admit, was very say to take. We had arranged our apartment before we left home, but had to wait until our household goods were shipped over. We had two days to in Hanoi before we had to start work, so there was no time for much sight seeing.

International Schools are a great environment in which to work, with parents, kids and teachers form all over the world. There are many things about schools that are generic the world over, so we felt familiar with many things. However, UNIS is an IB school, which meant there was a whole new language had to become familiar with. We still have a long way to go, but both feel we are coping OK at this stage. There have been no complaints form parents or kids yet, so we most b doing something right.
Hanoi, where do you start? So much development is taking place that the town is in a state of consatnt change. Old mixed with new, wealth mixd with poverty, west mixd with east. There is never a dull moment and always somnething new and interesting to see or experience. I ahv had to get some plumbing items for the apartment. A very simple task back home, but here you need some imagination. Using much sign language and the odd familiar word, I have managed to purchase the correct size tap and fittings for the job to complete the job

Plant nursry

. it is amazing how you can communicate with people when you have to.

Our apartmeent is in Ciputra, a new western style development in Tay Ho. it is comfortable and suites the two of us well for the time being.maybe in the future we will decide to look for a house in the local community.

Our first trip is to be to Phi Phi island in Thailand to meet up with Ebony (our youngest daughter) and Alex, who are on their way home from a skiing holiday in the USA. It is TET holidays in Vitnam and everything shuts down for a week. it was a late decisions, but finally we managed to secure flights and accommodation. We haven't sen Eb since early December, so we are really looking forard to it.

We have discovered the joys of Skype. What a fanstastic program. Congratulations to the creators. It alows us to chat to the girls regularly and not feel such a long way away from them.

OK, I'll come back to this aftr our trip to Phi Phi island.
Cheers,
Rod & Jenny

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Fishing for carp	Sunset over West Lake	Bike vendor	Residentual alley - Tay Ho
Charcola rabbit???	View from Sheraton	Oranges for sale	Construction site
Suburban House

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