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From Abroad

Back to Basics

This morning I took some much needed “Bobby time.” I slept in, at least as much as I could through the pounding of hammers, the sounds of cell phones going off and Vietnamese voices in the hallway. These folks do like to get up early over here.

When I finally decided to start the day, it began with a cigarette and a movie. I lied in bed watching Clerks 2 on my laptop. I’ve seen it a few times, but it serves as “comfort food” to me.

I needed some time to just do what I do on my free time at home, be alone. I need down time to process everything in America, let alone on the other side of the planet. I am still enjoying my time here but it is safe to say the honeymoon is over. The intrigue is centered on issues I’m covering, rather than the nuances which define this culture.

The social service sector in this country is completely volunteer based, and funded entirely by non-governmental organizations and foreign governments. Still, it is accomplishing many things for people in need. I’ve been sitting in on an international social work convention at An Giang University here in Long Xuyen. The discussions between social workers from West Virginia and the Vietnamese are very interesting and enlightening. It is safe to say that we have different ideas about many issues pertaining to social services, such as what constitutes abuse and whether prevention is a realistic goal.

Despite our differences and rocky history as nations, we have all learned much from each other.

Today, I will return to the University to spend some time at the convention and meet some fore local folks. I will first be going to find some lunch with Kendal, a photographer from my group. She has been sick for a few days after awaking to find her legs covered with red spots encircled by white.

I took her to a local medicine woman yesterday where she was prescribed some creams and benadryl. It wasn’t any mystical experience or anything, just different from what I’m used to I suppose. It was a beautiful office, complete with black leather couches surrounding an ornamental coffee table. The walls held paintings of various sunsets and landscapes.

The medicine woman was kind and very beautiful. Although she didn’t speak English, her demeanor was very pleasant. Kendal’s mind was finally at ease.

It’s just another small piece of the adventure chosen for public consumption. Speaking of consumption, I drank Pepsi out of a glass bottle yesterday. It was probably the first in more than 10 years. I enjoyed every sip of it. I ordered this in a coffee shop/restaurant across the street from the University, where I found a table of international teachers. Many were from America, Australia and a few from Germany. One guy is from Philadelphia, another from St. Louis, and one from Delaware. Interesting how people’s lives lead them in directions never anticipated. I suppose I’m a living testament to that.

I’m off to lunch now, probably eat some seafood-rice dish. But I’m hungry for Cappicola and Provolone cheese. I know I won’t have any for more than a month, but if my best friend can survive in Iraq off of Halliburton meals, I’m sure I’ll survive.

I heard that Opie and Anthony got suspended from XM Radio (paid subscription service), what the hell is up with that? I don’t know what they did, but I fear coming home to a country where the First Amendment has been handcuffed, even more than after Imus. Someone please let me know the deal.