Hue

choo choo...the nice long sleeper train was pleasant and we woke to views of the first working rice fields we've seen yet. Farmers were out planting rice in the rain. The land was partitioned off into green squares with raised earth making indistinct barriers. It was a relaxing portion of our travels and I believe everyone was happy to be somewhere with less pollution after spending five hectic hours in Hanoi.
Rain greeted us as readily as the taxi drivers who see our group of fifteen as containing the possible to ask "Taxi" upwards of 5 times per person. Ironically as we dismissed the offers the students almost told our local contact to go away as he came looking no different in outward appearance. So Khan got us to our motel/hotel quickly and we jumped into what would be a busy schedule. We went over to get bikes. Seems simple. Now take what you've heard, what i've written and imagine the nerves of the three teachers as we quickly thought about biking with twelve students through streets filled with motorbikes thick as flies and twice as noisy. Our crux was getting our students back relatively unharmed to our hotel, where the roads were less crowded and where our time would be spent. Unfortunately we were currently in the middle of a downtownish area where crossing the street on foot took skill. We had to give a crash course to prevent the previously named event from occuring. Luck was on our side and despite the numerous moped around us most of them are more aware than the average American in their car, multitasking on the way to work. As our group departed and crossed the street I held my breath and thanked the drivers who went out of their way to steer clear of the group of giant helemeted Americans who rode down on beach cruisers complete with baskets and charming bells. Within five minutes I realize the value in having baskets as you could pull a fellow biker who lets just imagine pedal fell off the bike! Despite the overwhelming odds against us we made it all the way to orphanage where we were to spend time over the next few days....We'll i'm too tired to continue so I'll have to write more later. Take care all.