Update 2

Chau (Hello in Vietnamese, feels kind of like Italy sometimes),

Well it has been over a month since our last update, so we thought we should let you know how we've been going. Since we wrote last, we have moved into a new house Greg has commenced his employment (yes, he is job) and we've been on our first out of town excursion.

The house that we have moved into is in the Bin Tanh District of Ho Chi Minh City. As you probably don't have a clue where that is (I know we didn't), it is on the northern side of the city, about 30 minutes from the city right near the airport. We are living with an English guy, an American and a Belgian (and his wife + 4 month old baby).

Quite an interesting house with lots of stories to tell from all sides so it's quite fun sitting and having a few beers and just yakking. The area around the house is very nice as well with lots of cheap places to eat (rice and pork meal for US$1 for two people, or if we are feeling particularly extravagant we could go "up market and pay US$2!!).

We've gone out drinking a few times over the last few weeks and every time we go out we get pulled aside by some of the locals who insist on us drinking with them. Inevitably they say they are cops and want to know where we live and what our phone number is, but I think that that's just them beating their chests a bit. We got pulled aside by one group just as we were leaving one place a couple weeks ago and they said, "here, try this." We asked what it was and they replied "banana Heanesy." I'll tell you one think, it was no where near but it sure made us stumble a bit afterwards ;-). We've found a few drinking holes around the place, including an "upmarket" casino around the corner, that is "upmarket" compared with the rest of the area but definitely no Sky City or Crown casino (they call it, 'The Bingo Club'!!).
\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>We went on our first out of town excursion a couple weeks ago. The destination was the Cu Chi tunnels, supposedly 60km from the city. Took us 2 1/2 hours on our little rented Vespa 125 as it's top speed is only 50km (and that is pushing it's little 2 stroke engine to the max) and we also got lost. One thing that we both learnt was not to follow the road signs, and instead stop and ask directions. The signs that we followed that day took us round in circles and the wrong way, it was however interesting seeing the country side even though it there was as Forest Gump said "Big Fat Rain" for around 1/2 an hour of the drive. \n\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\> \u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>Once we got up there it was all good though. The tunnels were interesting, especially the propaganda video they played at the beginning of the tour, talking about the evil Americans and how they "destroyed this lovely weekend picnic area for the citizens of Sai Gon." We thought it was great seeing the other side of the story and how the Vietnamese saw the war. Anyhoo, the journey back only took us just under 2 hours with a few drink stops along the way. Sore bums all around though, the Vespa definitely is not a touring vehicle.\n\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\> \u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>I (Greg) have now been in his teaching job for 3 weeks. So far it is going really well. A few noisy kids, few real studiers and then some others which have obviously been put in the wrong class. I am using some of my experiences of boarding school to deal with the noisy ones. I now give them 3 warnings, after that I move into the NMT (neuro-muscular treatment) which comprises of copying pages from the book exactly, if they don't do it exactly, they do it again and again until they get it right. So far it's proving successful, if not a bit fun watching them squirm (does that make me evil, probably but oh well). \n\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\> \u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>Other than the kids, the school is really good, I am now getting a few constant classes (so far 15 hours a week and climbing) so hopefully that will continue. The school (VUS - ",1]
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We went on our first out of town excursion a couple weeks ago. The destination was the Cu Chi tunnels, supposedly 60km from the city. Took us 2 1/2 hours on our little rented Vespa 125 as it's top speed is only 50km (and that is pushing it's little 2 stroke engine to the max) and we also got lost. One thing that we both learnt was not to follow the road signs, and instead stop and ask directions. The signs that we followed that day took us round in circles and the wrong way, it was however interesting seeing the country side even though it there was as Forest Gump said "Big Fat Rain" for around 1/2 an hour of the drive.

Once we got up there it was all good though. The tunnels were interesting, especially the propaganda video they played at the beginning of the tour, talking about the evil Americans and how they "destroyed this lovely weekend picnic area for the citizens of Sai Gon." We thought it was great seeing the other side of the story and how the Vietnamese saw the war. Anyhoo, the journey back only took us just under 2 hours with a few drink stops along the way. Sore bums all around though, the Vespa definitely is not a touring vehicle.

I (Greg) have now been in his teaching job for 3 weeks. So far it is going really well. A few noisy kids, few real studiers and then some others which have obviously been put in the wrong class. I am using some of my experiences of boarding school to deal with the noisy ones. I now give them 3 warnings, after that I move into the NMT (neuro-muscular treatment) which comprises of copying pages from the book exactly, if they don't do it exactly, they do it again and again until they get it right. So far it's proving successful, if not a bit fun watching them squirm (does that make me evil, probably but oh well).

Other than the kids, the school is really good, I am now getting a few constant classes (so far 15 hours a week and climbing) so hopefully that will continue. The school (VUS -
www.vus-etcs.edu.vn\n\u003c/a\>) is really well organised and considered one of the best schools in Sai Gon which is good. I've been trying to find some more work as VUS is only during some week nights and most of the weekend but it is hard trying to find anywhere that doesn't clash with that unless I go into full time (8:00-5:00 Mon-Fri) which I don't particularly want to do as it means we can't go travelling. Oh well, I'll keep looking and see what I find.\n\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\> \u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>Liz has been looking around for work as well. There are a few promising leads from some schools who want to employ her. From what we have heard she meets two prerequisits, 1) she is white which a lot of the schools use as the one and only prerequisite and 2) that she is female (in Vietnam there is a distinct shortage of female teachers). Only time will tell, but all indications are good so far. \n\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\> \u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>My (Greg's) phone number has changed as well as we weren't getting any texts or calls from overseas (something bung with Vietnam Telecom). I've now changed and it is working fine. The number is +84 90 3479741.\n\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\> \u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>Right, now the photo web sites:\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>Our current offering of photos (+ a map of the city so you know where we're talking about) of what we've been doing can be found at: \u003ca href\u003d\"http://picasaweb.google.com/greg.and.liz/WhatWeVeBeenUpTo?authkey\u003dwCZByGM7O9A\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\"\>\nhttp://picasaweb.google.com\u003cWBR\>/greg.and.liz/WhatWeVeBeenUpTo\u003cWBR\>?authkey\u003dwCZByGM7O9A\u003c/a\>\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\> \u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>Also, I've uploaded all the jokes that I've received over the last 2 years onto the web. They can be found at: \u003ca href\u003d\"http://picasaweb.google.com/greg.and.liz/Jokes?authkey\u003dCTtIcqlIbkY\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\"\>http://picasaweb.google.com\u003cWBR\>/greg.and.liz/Jokes?authkey",1]
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www.vus-etcs.edu.vn ) is really well organised and considered one of the best schools in Sai Gon which is good. I've been trying to find some more work as VUS is only during some week nights and most of the weekend but it is hard trying to find anywhere that doesn't clash with that unless I go into full time (8:00-5:00 Mon-Fri) which I don't particularly want to do as it means we can't go travelling. Oh well, I'll keep looking and see what I find.

Liz has been looking around for work as well. There are a few promising leads from some schools who want to employ her. From what we have heard she meets two prerequisits, 1) she is white which a lot of the schools use as the one and only prerequisite and 2) that she is female (in Vietnam there is a distinct shortage of female teachers). Only time will tell, but all indications are good so far.

My (Greg's) phone number has changed as well as we weren't getting any texts or calls from overseas (something bung with Vietnam Telecom). I've now changed and it is working fine. The number is +84 90 3479741.

Right, now the photo web sites:
Our current offering of photos (+ a map of the city so you know where we're talking about) of what we've been doing can be found at: http://picasaweb.google.com/greg.and.liz/WhatWeVeBeenUpTo?authkey=wCZByGM7O9A

Also, I've uploaded all the jokes that I've received over the last 2 years onto the web. They can be found at: http://picasaweb.google.com/greg.and.liz/Jokes?authkey
\u003dCTtIcqlIbkY\n\u003c/a\>\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\> \u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>Anyway, let us know how you've been going and what you've been up to. We always look forward to e-mails from everyone else letting us know how you've been.\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\> \u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>Not sure whether we put it in the previous e-mail, but there is a standing invitation to come to Sai Gon and visit. We don't have any space at our place unfortunately, but there are lots of accommodation options in town that are dirt cheap without the dirt quality. I (Greg) will even pick you up on the old Vespa if you so desire, that way you can experience some of the madness on the streets first hand ;-).\n\u003cbr clear\u003d\"all\"\>\u003cbr\>lots of love\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>\u003cbr\>Greg and Liz Henderson\u003cbr\>e-mail: \u003ca href\u003d\"mailto:greg.henderson@gmail.com\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\"\>greg.henderson@gmail.com\u003c/a\> \u003c/div\>\n",0]
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=CTtIcqlIbkY

Anyway, let us know how you've been going and what you've been up to. We always look forward to e-mails from everyone else letting us know how you've been.

Not sure whether we put it in the previous e-mail, but there is a standing invitation to come to Sai Gon and visit. We don't have any space at our place unfortunately, but there are lots of accommodation options in town that are dirt cheap without the dirt quality. I (Greg) will even pick you up on the old Vespa if you so desire, that way you can experience some of the madness on the streets first hand ;-). lots of love