2008 Blogs

April Showers...

04/01/2009

It rained yesterday, a long, steady rain that filled the streets with rivers and sent students scurrying into their dormitory rooms.  As I marveled over how good the rain made me feel, I realized that this was the first real rain since I've been here.  Yes, there have been sprinkles here and there, but nothing like this.  The temperatures dropped to a comfortably cool level and I drifted off to sleep listening to the steady drum of rain on my patio.

 

Early this morning I took a walk under overcast skies, searching for mountain peaks lost in low-hanging tufts of cotton.  By late morning the rain had begun again--soaking the laundry that I foolishly and optimistically had hung out to dry.  There is something refreshing and energizing about the rain, and with it some flowers have seemingly sprung to life overnight.  Perhaps they were already here, but now they are brilliant--a palate of lemon yellow, lush green, and magenta.  Can you tell that I really, really liked this rain?

Tonight I had dinner with a visiting professor from a university in Hanoi.  In addition to learning about one of his specialties, sustainable tourism, I was fascinated with his personal story.  As a young man in school he studied Russian, but at home his mother asked him to study English.  His efforts paid off, and he was won a scholarship to study for a B.A. and M.A. abroad.  We had a fascinating discussion comparing the Russian influence on the Vietnamese educational system during his youth with the educational system today.  I look forward to discussing that with some of our education majors when I return.

Tomorrow is the workshop at the Nha Trang Teacher's College, so I must review my presentations and turn in early.  It continues to rain, and I'm beginning to wonder what it will be like to ride a motorbike in the rain.  I may find out tomorrow!