Communications bloopers with The Family

Incident #1
After this, we know to ask, "How far away is it?"
Barbara and Arin are friends with a group which includes a male music teacher, a male math teacher, a husband and wife with a preschooler and three grown children, all of whom I refer to as The Family. Barbara first met the music teacher in the park by the river and we were invited to his home. The mom, Dung, was also invited and she and Barbara danced the cha cha while the music teacher, Thanh Su, played the guitar and keyboards.  After lunch we were invited to see a pagoda.  Of course we jumped at the chance.  WE picked up more people and we drove and drove until finally we arrived at the beach town of Vung Tau where we remained until 10 pm at the Pagoda, which was a private beach club, not a religious structure.  The water was seriously like a bathtub, much warmer than Hawaii.  We ate, waded and listened to the music teacher play guitar.  It was quite lovely, though unexpected.  Vung Tau is 40 miles away, but took two hours due to high traffic volume (normal traffic).  After this incident, we know to ask, "How far is it?"

Incident #2
After this incident, we know to ask, "How long will it take?"
The Family invited me to shop in Saigon at the Metro supermarket.  I had been with them before, knew it was 20 minutes away, and said yes.  Two hours later I barely made my 5 o'clock class.  Again we were driving and driving and come to find out, we had to drop off some supplies at someone's house in the next province.

Incident #3
After this incident we know to ask, "What exactly is required of me?"
The math teacher asked if we would help distribute charity items to high school students.  Barbara arrived at the High School in her shorts and pink tennis shoes only to discover that she was the guess of honor so not only did she and Arin have to sit on the podium, but it was actually an award ceremony where everyone was dressed up.  Next, Barbara had to give a speech on the microphone and to top it off, the whole ceremony was videotaped.  Later, the math teacher showed Barbara a DVD box with her on the cover, and the DVD movie began at her apartment building where the math teacher had gathered her on his motorcycle.  We never did get a copy of it and have no idea to whom it is distributed.