So, I've been in India since December 28th (after a 2 day flight, where we were funneled from Washington-Reagan to Atlanta, GA, then to Kuwait, then to Mumbai, India). That's...what, about 19, maybe 20 days? Nonetheless, I have about 7 days left until we head home - I think I'll be ready to leave by then.

So, the background info. This is the first time I've travelled in a relatively large group (17 people), on a study abroad program. Originally, I was going to partake in a Buddhist Philosophy course (what better place than India), but once we arrived, ended up switching into the Envhironmental Science course. Both are taught by Indian professors, and I ultimately realized the geographical aspect of Envh. Sci. would help me to a much greater extent in the long run.

For the past 3 weeks, we have been constantly on the move. Our first weekend was spent in Hampi, which  are absolutely gorgeous ruins stretching across 10+ sq. miles (the actual size escapes me right now), and Dandeli nature reserve - a swanky little resort far from any city and deep in the forest. Both were amazing, but Hampi was doubtless my favorite experience on this trip. The ruins were completely explorable - no ropes, no security, no restrictions. The ruins themselves dotted a landscape of small valleys and towering boulders, creating an open landscape devoid of people (in most places). Words fail to properly describe this place, and while pictures do only slightly better, I'll try to upload a few over the next few days (or in a week or two, when I return).

On Monday, we returned to begin classes. It was a hectic schedule that first week - classes every day except tuesday (when we were forced to attend convocation, and sing during as much), and us not entirely used to the campus, which was itself a few miles wide. We've grown accustomed to it over time, but it still takes a good 15 minutes to walk from the hostel to class.

Last weekend, we travelled to the ruins Ajanta and Ellora. They were brilliant ruins, full of history, amazing feats of engineering, and people. And perhaps one too many hawkers. Both the people and the hawkers detracted a fair bit from the experience, and left me feeling slightly bitter (as many would not leave you alone for anything).

I wont go into much more detail, as it's getting late. Suffice it to say, despite any drawbacks, India's pretty awesome. The culture is strange to this foreigner (which is not altogether a bad thing), and the landscape is interesting. The food is cheap (and mostly good), and the people are...well, people, some good, some rude, some entirely likable, and some entirely trustable.

Maybe I'll get more written, maybe not. We'll just have to see what happens over this next week.

Peace!

This post has the potential to be obscenely long. I'll try to condense it to make it an easier read.

To begin, it took me 4 or 5 days of travel (and sleeping in airports) to get home. Time zones and all that mess me up on the counting. It was a very tiring experience, and I'd rather never go through it again if I can help it.

That aside, what more can be said about Vietnam than it is amazing. The diversity (and sometimes lack thereof) is astounding, the landscape is stunning, and the people are usually very friendly. Sometimes too friendly. It was definitely an experience I'm glad I could have.

As for the documentary, Courtney and Hai are still over there, working with the kids (which were very loving and happy for what all they have and don't have). They are really putting their all into it, going in morning, noon and night to get to know them better. Very impressive, in my opinion. There are many things one could say about it all, but it all tends to dry up on the tongue when compared to the experience itself. Suffice it to say, everything we did, saw and experienced over there had elements that opened my eyes a little bit wider.

If you want more information on Agent Orange and how it is affecting Vietnam now, it may be best to seek out the information yourself. While I could list off a wealth of information that I collected while in Vietnam and talking to Courtney, Hai and many of the country's officials, the information is very easy to obtain by searching the net. When I get more time, I may put links to the websites on this blog to ease the search, but I feel others have presented the information better than I could here.

That having been said, the journey is not over yet. Another month of filming is still taking place in Vietnam, and Courtney will be taking over the blog at nampart2.blogspot.com.

With that, I need to go. There's a good bit I still need to do before I can relax.

[Description: Travel - Group - Asia - Documentary]
10 - 08 - 07, 12.30pm [Current Vietnam Time]

PICTURES! (CLICK HERE)

More of the same, really. This will probably be my last post, as I will soon have to start trying to get home (which will take a good bit of effort, as I fly standby and all flights are overbooked). Fear not, though. Courtney will be taking over, and you can reach her continuation at nampart2.blogspot.com.

My final thought will come when I reach home and have time to evaluate everything I've done while here. We're still fairly busy, and there's a good bit I still want to do, so this post will also be short. Suffice it to say, it's been a great time, and definitely affected me to an extent that only travel can do. And with that, we're going to go eat. Again, for the next month, Courtney and Hai will keep updates running at nampart2.blogspot.com.

[Description: Travel - Group - Asia - Documentary]
08 - 08 - 07, 7.15pm [Current Vietnam Time]

To begin: Caprice! It's been 11 months! -MWAH-, thank you for making the days bright, the nights warm and life so damn amazing in the time we've been together. I love you, and can't wait to see you when I return! Also...pick up the phone!

Alright, enough mushiness. The past 3 days have been quite interesting. To sum them up, we spent time with the kids at the peace camp, visited the War Remnants Museum, and overall got some great footage (and made a few new contacts along the way).

On Tuesday, after spending the morning at the hospital, (a day in which I've slowly started to become comfortable feeding the children) Courtney, Hai and myself went to the War Remnants Museum and requested permission to film the upcoming "Agent Orange Awareness Event." After a thorough evaluation of us, we received our permission. The rest of the day went fairly slow, allowing us ample time to rest. The next day was going to be a long one.

It was today, Wednesday, that things really picked up. So far, the going has been somewhat slow. We have filmed, but nothing seriously pertaining to the documentary.

The event was amazing. Most of the children/victims in or near Ho Chi Minh City were invited, and many showed up. A fairly famous photographer of Japanese origin (who has done most prize winning photography of the effect of Agent Orange) received an award, and the day was full of pretty amazing acts and shows. Unfortunately, the only photography we got was in the movie camera, so no pictures to post. Suffice it to say, it was a BIG event. While there, said Japanese photographer (will edit this once I remember his name) gave us his card, and wanted to keep in touch. We also met a man from the International Action Center, based in Washington, who was photographing for what out loud was a documentary, but in whispers was for the current lawsuit against the chemical companies that created Agent Orange. Apparently, many US veterans are joining with Vietnamese veterans in the lawsuit (though the Vietnamese government does not want to recognize this due to lingering Anti-American Government and Army sentiments). He is attempting to gather pictures and info to further encourage US veterans affected by the chemical to join in. A noble cause, though I won't mention his name for obvious reasons. We will keep in contact though; he seemed very well versed in current events surrounding Agent Orange.

On a closely related tangent, he mentioned that the US is still using chemical warfare, such as depleted uranium, in Iraq. This has already started to affect the populace, armies that are backing the US, and our own soldiers. It needs to stop, and people need to wake up to the fact that this is happening to our men and women in uniform - our brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters. But that is for your own research.

Well, aside from this, we spent time with the kids (who were also at the event). Today, we presented them with the idea that we will be filming them - they seem pretty for it. Otherwise, this is the end of my post. Pictures in a bit, just like last time.

[Description: Travel - Group - Asia - Documentary]
06 - 08 - 07, 8.40am [Current Vietnam Time]

PICTURES (Click Here)

Sorry for the long absence! My guess was off, and I didn't have access to the internet over the weekend!

The weekend was fairly hectic. We spent the majority of our time filming b-roll. Got some great shots of the harbor, the countryside and the market in Nha Trang. Went a bit north of the city, through the mountains, for half of a (really rainy) day, and stayed with Hai's family while filming their rice paddies.

Not a great deal of interest happened. Turned out there was a hurricane off the coast, but other than really heavy rains, we weren't affected. Rented motorbikes again this weekend, and almost crashed a few times, but otherwise alright.

I do have to say this - the buses in Vietnam are most definitely made for the Asian physique. After a 10 hour ride back to Vietnam from Nha Trang, I'm tired as hell. Courtney and Hai found the reserves to head to the hospital this morning (I'll be joining them in the afternoon), and I brought all the bags up to the room. Now, I think I'll sleep until they get back.

So that's about it. Rest of the day will probably be spent in the hospital, and I'll post pictures as soon as I have them. I have one week left, then back to the states for me.

Take care.