grocery shoppig late night with Tony

Since Barbara is no longer at the school, she is able to take on private lessons.  She has started a club called Coffee and Conversation whereas she invites anyone to join her for casual conversation 3 mornings a week at Tony Cafe.  One of the regulars is Tony.  He met Barbara when she substituted in his adult English class at the school, and now he is one of our best friends. Tony wants to take Arin along next time he and his wife grocery shop, since he knows we usually have to go by taxi. Here's how it goes when someone in Vietnam offers you an  invitation....This morning at breakfast, Arin was invited to shop with Tony and his wife.  Most of the day passed without hearing from him. 8 pm Arin receives a text and it is time to go.  By this time of night, Arin has settled in and not interested in going, but he really likes Tony ( a 58 year old man) and out of respect, agreed to go.  So, Arin heads out to the elevator and within moments he has returned.  UGHHHHH, guess what, Barbara has to go too.  Oh, well, time to get out of the pajamas and get dressed she says.  Anyway, with this trip as with all others, it is topped off with a street side coffee.  Getting coffee can also mean, and in this case does mean, getting a (Sinh to (smoothie) or ep (fruit juice).  At the coffee stand, Tony's wife, Thuy purchased some avocados and Barbara told her about guacamole, a Mexican chip dip containing avocados, lime, and sometimes garlic, tomatoes or peppers. As soon as Thuy heard this, she promptly gave them to Barbara and announced that she and Tony would be coming to our home tomorrow night to taste some. Now you must remember, Tony is an English student and Thuy doesn't speak English, so there is always somewhat of a language barrier in every conversation. Barbara must had unknowingly offered an invitation.?.?.?

Put the new job for Barbara and Arin

Another 50+ friend, a Brit named Eric whom Barbara met at the pool works at another one of the English schools in town. Today, Barbara got a surprise call from the director offering her a job. Apparently Eric gave her Barbara's number. Now she is teaching an adult class and also has 5 minute English conversation sessions with children.  It really is about the easiest teaching job in the world because the curriculum is good and requires almost no prep.

After the first day of work, the director asked if Barbara had any friends who needed a job, so now Barbara's son works there also. What!, you say, Barbara's son???  Yes, Barbara's oldest son, 24 year old Arin, came to Vietnam. He's always wanted to travel and when Barbara offered him the chance, to come and make some money for college, he jumped at it.

The twin is no more, the job is no more

The twin here. Well, it happened, Barbara finally had it with this goofy school where she works.  The school unnecessarily works all their staff to death and then when a new boss was hired and decided to change everyone's teaching style, Barbara was done.  Today she collected all her papers and put in her notice.  Also, she knew that I would probably remain forever by the chom choms so she tossed me in the trash to end my lonely misery.

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.

One lone twin

My twin and I are still sittinThe teacher complaints have really heated up since the new manager was hired. PUT STUFF FROM OTHER BLOG

 when a new manager arriveMy twin has a new owner. Here is what happened:  One of the British teachers was rushing around preparing for her class, tossing items in one of these rectangular plastic baskets which teachers load with classroom supplies.  The school is game based, so the baskets can contain anything from fly swatters to bowling pins, and are usually quite full.  I took many a ride with Barbara, because a teacher can not last an entire 2 hour class without water.  Well, the British teacher thought the same thing and since she was in a hurry, she grabbed my twin for her refreshment and my twin was never to return. Good-bye good friend.....

Meeting the family only 12 remains Intro Arin

That's right, Barbara's son Arin has

Down and out at Tony Cafe. Water bottle #7's final post.

It finally happened.  I got left.  Almost daily, Barbara has breakfast at Tony Cafe right in front of our apartment building. Usually, us water bottles don't go because our friend Khoa, who owns Tony Cafe, sells fresh squeezed orange juice, Barbara's favorite, but today Barbara took me along because she wanted to save money by not purchasing an orange juice.  Truthfully, I can't understand why she would do so since her meal is almost always paid by some friend who wants to practice English.  Today, three people joined us at the table and insisted on paying for her meal.

Mind you, four people at the table equals 9 containers of beverages on the table since every meal in South Vietnam is served with tea.  Even if you order just coffee, or just a smoothie, it is served with a glass of tea.  Her friends ordered cups of Vietnam's favorite morning beverage, coffee with sweetened condensed milk, so, when everyone left the table, Barbara forgot me in the midst of all the glasses. At one point she turned back to the table with a look of, "Isn't there something I am forgetting?" but I could not get her attention since of course, I can neither speak nor move.  So, after so many adventures with Barbara, I was sadly forgotten. Forlornly I  tumbled into the trash bin to never be seen again.  I will miss you Barbara.  Thanks for the good times....
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