WOW WOW WOW

Sorry I did not write a blog yesterday...the computer here in DaNang's hotel wasn't working...

Yesterday we started off the day by meeting the woman helping us with the group home. She gave us some suggestions and let us know a little bit more about the conditions of the children. We went to another bookstore here in DaNang and got some more things for the kids and some candy.
It felt good to get this accomplished.

We then met 2 guys at 11am who were taking us around on motorbikes to the Marble Mountains (Many buddah and pagodas, they are 5 mountains that represent the elements of the earth). It was a rough journey walking up very very steep steps and climbing our ways into caves. The best part was meeting an old woman who showed us a hidden laying buddha. We got to light incense and really experience their awesome culture. It was absolutely gorgeous!!

Our tour guides also took us to Hoi An, a town about 15 minutes away that is famous for tailoring clothes and is just a beautiful city near the beach. Of course we got some more clothes made. I got an awesome coat and Ashley a coat and dress. (by the way our pants we got made in Bangkok did not fit that great and we were disappointed) On our walk through the city we met Minh who took us into his house and served us lemonade. He served in the Southern army and loves Americans. He was a bit loopy but we were glad we got to see the inside of someone's house. Minh is also a painter and we bought some small ink drawings.

We stopped at China Beach and walked around. Neither of us were wearing our swimsuits so we just put our feet in the water and gave all the little begging children surrounding us quarters...they would not leave us alone!!!!

Our tour guides stopped us at Red Beach and at an American base camp. It is completely desolate and you can tell this country is very poor and damaged from the war.

We were very appreciative of our tour guides on the motorbikes. They were awesome and it was the best feeling riding on a motorbike...very empowering and a thrill!!! They tried to get us to go on a tour with them to Hue on motorbikes...very tempting but Ashley and I like having our refreshing showers at night after sweating disgutingly all day!!

They took us to an all Vietnamese bar where we enjoyed Tiger beer and then had the most amazing seafood. HUGE shrimp and crab. It was outstanding but my stomach is paying for it today!!!

Having the tour guides we got to know so much about communism, the war, and their unique stories. You are not suppose to speak about the government in public (no freedom of speech and the government has little money and the money it has goes to roads and construction). One of our guides fought for the South and has 3 gun wounds to show for it. He said it has taken him years to get over the traumatic experiences but such a good man who is married with 3 kids.

We got home around 8pm stuffed and tired and fell asleep. Its now Friday and its Ashleys Bday!! Boa one of our guides is going to buy her a cake today with her name on it. We kind of celebrated last night but I woke up and gave her the gift and card that I got her. Its kind of weird having a bday here in Vietam...so write her some great emails to wish her a Happy Bday!!!!

This blog is getting quite long and I still have much to tell...this morning we went to the group home did art lessons and going to another one this afternoon!!! (it was incredible:) and i will write more later once the day is finished...