Burning paper and New Camels

So on Friday we went to a pagoda on Bach Mai Street and met some of Phuong's family and friends. We sat on bamboo rugs for 2 hours as monks lit incense, recited chants, banged drums, and clanged bells. It felt very spiritual to be sitting inside this old pagoda, decorated with gold writing and gold buddhas. I was one of three foreigners there, and we all felt a bit lost, not knowing when to bow our heads during the recitations. After the monks were done, we all stood around outside, trying to avoid the intense guard dogs that kept circling us. We went out back to a giant, decorated hearth and saw the pile of paper gifts for Phuong. The variety of paper goods was really amazing: a paper motorbike the size of a large dog, a giant house equipped with king size beds and dining room table, TV's, a laptop, tea set, an oven, a fan, bedding and pillows, clothes, shoes, and even a horse. Also, lots of replicated 100 dollar American bills and paper gold nuggets. Families burn money almost every month to replenish the wallets of the deceased...

On a lighter note, a new set of Connecticut College students arrived for the Vietnam study abroad program last week. We had befriended the previous group last January, so Flip (my fellow Camel in Hanoi) and I have been keeping an eye out for any potential Conn kids wandering the streets. I figured we would see them on Ta Hien Street, a place in the Old Quarter with a lot of touristy bars, shops, and Bia Hoi's; when we had first arrived in Hanoi for our abroad program three years ago, I remember this street being one of the first (and last) places we spent a lot of our time on the weekends. So on Saturday night a couple Conn graduates living in Hanoi along with myself sat around the Bia Hoi on Ta Hien Street calling out "Camel!" (our mascot) to any kids who looked like they fit the bill. We received a lot of stares and questioning glances, but no Conn kids. Flip and JD eventually gave up and went around the corner to go watch a soccer game, while Son and I headed back to our motorbike to go home. As I was getting ready to hop on, I saw four kids meandering down the street, and recognized one of them from one of my classes. Immediately I shouted "Camels!" and got a positive response... I had found the new Conn students! I explained myself, got Flip to come over, and exchanged numbers before heading home. I remember feeling so lost and somewhat scared my first week here, so I plan on taking them to some really great street food and night spots, to help them get familiar with the city. It's pretty hard finding your way around to the best local spots with, well, no local to help you out, so I'll be doing my best as a Conn Alum Tourguide. They all seemed really excited to get some insider information, so I assume I will be meeting up with them soon.