Opening Day Ceremony

Trip Start Sep 30, 2009

Trip End Dec 16, 2009

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Flag of Vietnam Nha Trang, Vietnam
Sunday, November 1, 2009

I received an invitation to the opening ceremony for the Pacific Ocean University here in Nha Trang. One of the Dean's invited Mike Cull and I. Mike's girlfriend teaches there. She had given the Dean my resume and he wanted to meet me and Mike. Classes at POU just started in September. Financial backing came from a large bank in Vietnam because they need educated employees. The English department is critical and getting native speakers essential.

I got to meet the Dean, the President, most of the English faculty, had my picture taken with one class, was included in the official group photo (I'm directly behind the President) of the opening ceremony, went to dinner with officials and faculty, and got introduced as the new (and only) American addition to the faculty. Essentially I have a job there. However, the paperwork is nasty and may take a while. Everyone from the Dean to the faculty to the students were incredibly warm, welcoming, and excited

Sunrise from my room

. I can't believe that I may be involved in the very beginnings of this university.

A day later I was notified that I had been approved to teach at POU, and they have contacted the US Consulate to facilitate my paperwork. I have dreamed of being a college professor since I was 20, hard to believe that 37 years later it's coming true.

I got a text message that Mike and I were seen on the evening news...looking quite good at the ceremony. We were photographed extensively. By the way, the students cheered faculty and each other like we were at a baseball game. With this kind of passion the Vietnamese will surely be a country to contend with in the future. They want education more than American kids want their playstations and ipods. I very much want to be a part of their persuit of excellence.

Lam's father is in the hospital and she asked me to come with her to visit. It was an eye opening experience. First, all the doctors have the weekends off. Second, I briefly saw only two nurses during my one hour visit. Third, the Vietnamese families bring their own food to feed the patients. No hospital food that I know of. Fourth, there are no smoking signs all over the place, but as usual the Vietnamese ignore them

The view from my room

. Cigarette butts on the floor everywhere. And finally, Lam's father shares his single bed with another man. Never mind private rooms, how about a private bed. I'll try not to get sick while I'm here.

Are you not glad that I'm not writing about my faltering
"relationship?" I survived two tantrums this week and have come to the
firm conclusion that I must end this as soon as possible and cannot
wait till I leave in December. I am plotting my escape.

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