Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Hanoi

Here we are in Hanoi. What a trip. Getting out of Hong Kong was a major challenge. At one point it was going to cost $1,800 US to get Karolyn and I out of the country. Yeah - after debating and arguing with Cathay Pacific Air for over 2 hours (thank God we got to the airport early!!) and trying to find someone at Northwest to talk to we were allowed on the plane. For some reason we could have our boarding passes and luggage tags but we could not board - even though we had confirmation numbers - until we paid them money and they re-issued our tickets. That process took two hours and after Jay got on the phone and got a little angry they actually refunded us $32 US per ticket. Very weird.
My experience so far in flying over the South China Sea is also not so pleasant. The trip was very, very bumpy - again.
We landed in Hanoi and cleared customs and immigration and made our way into town - about an hour ride. Very interesting ride - the traffic is CRAZY!!!! The rules really don't mean anything - wait - a better question would be are there any rules?? Wow!! Gives new meaning to the saying "arrive alive".
We found out when we got to the hotel that there had been a dinner planned for us at the Hanoi Club - a very private club on West Lake. We had this marvelous dinner of Vietnamese/Chinese fusion food. They just never stopped bringing out the plates. At dinner were the Director of the Nuclear Institute and his wife, Judy from UW-Madison and Tong - a program officer for the government for HIV/AIDS, and Mr. Hau, the Security Officer/Director for the US Embassy. We are also working with the US Committee for Scientific Cooperation with Vietnam.
Dinner also consisted of a HUGE bottle of vodka for the men and beer and wine for the others.
We decided to have a final drink back at the hotel and we were met by Mr. Dzung, who is the Director of the American Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - so our equivilant of US Secretary of State (think Condolezza Rice).
Today we are waiting for Bill to arrive from the US and we are then being taken on a city tour by two UWL students. This evening we have another formal dinner with families and new students who are coming to UWL in fall.
Sorry to ramble everyone....there is so much I want to tell all of you. I know one thing for sure - this is an experience of a lifetime - I simply can not believe I am here and meeting all these wonderful people and seeing such amazing sights.
More tomorrow.

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