Day 1

9:37PM, 24 degree Celsius
 

I arrived at Hanoi at 7PM and was received by a representative from SJ Vietnam. It was all good, until I arrived at Linh Nam an hour later.

I've always thought that Treforest back in the valleys was The Ghetto. But apparently, Linh Nam is The Real Ghetto. Down at the porch of the tall building, I was greeted by Hiep, my coordinator and  a few girls. Not alright but still okay, until I arrived at the doorstep of our apartment at Level 13. With 20 other volunteers, ranging from 18 to 70 years old. They come from all around the world- Canada, Columbia, Boston, Finland, Australia, Austria, England.. The apartment is overpopulated and the 3 toilets here stink.. So bad. Thank God my period is over and not due to arrive until I get home. Yes, in bad situations like this, it really helps to thank God they aren't worse than bad.

I don't want to sound like a spoilt brat- I am completely fine with bunking with a few others or sleeping on the upper deck. But the mattress has infinite strands of hair which grossed me out almost, if not immediately. Again, thank God for the sleeping bag I'd brought from home. There is no wardrobe and people who know me well enough would understand how much I need to organise my belongings or at least, fold them properly for easy retrieval. I brought tons of clothing- 2 weeks- if that number doesn't sound big enough- 14 days worth. For someone with OCD, that is completely unbearable and unacceptable.
 

I am ready to go home.