Monday Report

I was a busy little bee this morning which was quite a feat considering how I've been feeling.  I have been a laying kind of low the last week to save money but today required some errand running.

Since I arrived, I have been fighting sinus congestion and a sore throat.  I even lost my voice.  It basically kept moving from my nose to my throat and back again.  So I finally decided to see a doctor.  More on that later.  To combat the crud, I decided to try a comfort from home....Starbucks hot chocolate.   So I limped across the street in the heat and humidity to get, yes you read right, a HOT chocolate.   It was tasty but didn't really have the intended effect on the crud.

I then went out to my school to pick up my schedule...still only 4 classes total on Saturday and Sunday.  Which this week is just fine while I hopefully recover from my crud.  Across the street from my school is a Big C mart.  It is the Vietnamese equivalent of Walmart you might say on a smaller scale.  Think half the size of the original Walmarts but split into 2 stories.  They had pretty much everything you needed in one place including clothes and sandals.  I didn't buy anything, just looked around.  At the bottom of the escalator was a large crate of fish heads staring at me.  You all know how I love that!

My next stop was the bank to exchange currency to pay for my rent, deposit and the balance on my couch tomorrow.   The bank rejected two $50 bills for a minor tear and some staining on the edge of one bill.  They are EXTREMELY picky about the condition of your bills here.....worse than I have seen anywhere.  Visitors beware!  I exchanged $1000 US for the hefty sum of 21 million dong.  I visited an ATM to withdraw the rest of what I needed to pay the pipers tomorrow.  Needless to say, I was extra vigilant in watching my surroundings carrying that much cash. Unfortunately,  this country seems to work mainly on cash.

After getting my money situation sorted out, I headed to the very Western clinic my hotel recommended.  It was a smooth experience and I was even able to pick up my prescriptions as I was walking out the door.  They seemed to cater to English speakers and Japanese,  which I found interesting.   In the end, my doctor diagnosed me with exposure to too much air conditioning and pollution....not sure what I am going to do about that.  At least he gave me some drugs that will treat my symptoms so I am not so miserable.   I was tickled when I pawned my disfigured $50 bills off on the clinic upon payment.

Finally, I chowed down on a lovely fruit plate for lunch and got a wonderful surprise......A teacher discount!!  LOL

Tomorrow brings a school workshop and moving into my new digs!!!!  Pictures to come!