The remainder of our team will stay here in Can Tho, until next Thursday, the 9th, continuing with surgeries and post-operative care of their patients. If you want to read more about their work and more about our entire team, you can read blog entries on the International Extremity Project (IEP) website ~
https://www.searchnewworld.com/search/search2.html?partid=snschbng&p=international+extremity+project&subid=446
On a lighter note, thought I would put out some pics of 'life' here in Can Tho. Even after 5 previous trips here, I am fascinated about the life here and all that the community has to offer for sale and how it's all structured. Walking around is kind of the best way to get a feel for it all.
All manner of pickled items for sale here. Interestingly, everyone has their 'thing' that they sell. Often, you will see 3-4 ladies selling the same items, all in a row, but they all seem to work for themselves. Not exactly sure how that works, but it seems to work nonetheless.
Gift baskets for Tet. These are everywhere right now.
Jackfruit.
This is the Can Tho "Rice Lady." She sits in her spot next to a restaurant, on the sidewalk, every night and serves a delicious treat. They aren't my favorite as their is coconut in it, but Amy LOVES them, as do many others. They cost 10,000 VND (Vietnamese Dong) (about 45-50 cents). This is a Vietnamese dessert.
They are a rice pancake (see the stacks in the front of the pic) in which she places black and yellow rice (see to the right side of the pic), sugar cane, coconut, peanuts and a little sugar mixture and then covers it with another pancake and then places it in a little plastic bag. It all goes together and is delicious!
Uncle Ho. Ho Chi Minh is a revered figure here in Vietnam, as you'd imagine. This statue is right near our hotel and is always illuminated. He is very, very tall and it is golden.
Amy, patiently waiting for our dinner last night ~ bahn mi sandwiches with eggs and spinach. She found the perfect chair for herself, which allowed her feet to touch the ground. She said she had never been more comfortable. Ha!
Ice delivery, via cyclo. I guess the delivery guy must have to be fast to get his product to the consumer before it melts!
Gecko at the restaurant last night. Geckos are everywhere and are good to have around, as they eat all manner of little critters. We usually have one in our hotel, but as of yet, we haven't seen one. I think of them as good luck.
The night market. This takes the center of an entire street. This guy is just hanging out, as the Vietnamese often do, resting on their cyclos. Often, you will see people taking a nap on the seat of their motor bike. At the night market, you can buy anything.
More of the night market. This town is buzzing at night. There is also a night food market, where you can buy any type of food you want. Grilled, fried, fresh. Meats, fruits, sweets.
The watch store. Any and all types of watches for sale.
A longer view of the night market. People walking, cyclos moving, cars about too. There's a lot to take in.
These are coolers that the proprietors of this storefront have hand-covered in yellow packing tape to sell. There are all different sizes and they are covering these day/night.
This store sells dishes and baskets. All shapes, all sizes.
In the foreground, you can see the edge of the sidewalk. Walking around in Vietnam requires good attention, as usually you aren't walking on stable or flat surfaces.
Always a favorite photo to take while I am here. This is a light pole. I'd love to know what all is running through this maze of lines. The sky is so beautifully blue today...and not too hot. Only 90-92 degrees.
Buffalo Wild Wings is here in Can Tho. It's hip name is "B-Dubs." No, we haven't eaten here yet. Too much good Vietnamese food to be had!
On the right is the sidewalk. There are always these 'ramps' from the street to the sidewalk, as on the sidewalks or in someone's home is where folks park their cyclos. This 'ramp' allows them to drive up/down easily.
Bakery. Bread here is a staple and it is delicious. The Vietnamese learned bread-making from the French, as they occupied Vietnam for many, many years.
A temple. These are all around as you walk through the neighborhoods. This one is quite beautiful!
Amy and I walked around for about 2 hours or so from 10a - noon-ish, so we stopped for a little juice cooler. This is strawberry, orange and pineapple, topped with an orange garnish. Delicious and refreshing. This costs 80,000 VND (about $3.50).
This is a hand cart. This is a mobility device for those who cannot walk here in Vietnam. They are ingenious. The round steering wheel is pumped back/forth to make the device go and this allows someone who cannot walk to move about the environment. Now, the energy expenditure is very high, but still, it's independent mobility. I haven't, yet, been able to find out how much one of these cost.
Demolition in Vietnam. 3 guys with a jackhammer, sandals and no eye protection, taking down the beam of an old building's entrance. Frightening.
More telephone pole mazes. So fascinating to me.
Amy took this terrific picture the other day. That dog couldn't be happier! Ready to ride.
Hope everyone has a great weekend! We are off to celebrate Jenni's birthday, one of our nurses, and we are going to an 'acoustic club' to hear a band that is comprised of one of our former interpreters. They apparently sing both Vietnamese and American music, so it should be a fun time!!
More blogging to come!
xoxo
Stacy
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