[Description: Travel - Group - Asia - Documentary]
30 - 07 - 07, 4.00pm [Current Vietnam Time]
The past two days have followed a similar route as the rest of the week. We shot more b-roll yesterday, gathering a few shots of street vendors, the presidential palace and some birds (caged, and not-so-caged).
After filming for half the day, we decided it was time to try to get a relaxing, professional massage. We chose a high-class hotel next door, which fortunately only charged $7 for a 1-hour "relaxing massage". We went up to the second floor (where the parlor was located), and they directed Courtney into a nearby room, then Hai and myself up to the next floor. This was my first time ever getting a professional massage, so it was all fairly new to me. We were told to undress, and take a shower in the nearby stalls. Afterwards, we were given fairly comfortable shorts to wear, and pointed down a hallway.
This is where things got interesting.
To begin, we were given separate, private rooms. I was a bit on edge at this point - all I wanted was a good massage, you know...work some knots out of my back and all. But this being my first massage, I assumed all was normal. I lied down on the table, said hello to the Vietnamese girl who came in, and immediately shoved my head through that little hole at the top of the bed. She then proceeded to massage my back. I was relieved - after all, this was a high class place...
Now, a bit of background. I have a girlfriend whom I love named Caprice Kefauver back in MD, and I cannot wait to get back to her. I couldn't even imagine going so far as to letting some other girl kiss me on the cheek (unless she was related, or a very close friend, and even then - only the cheek). So, I was crossing my fingers about this massage.
She went through the motions, did the whole walk on my back deal, then had me turn over. "Ok," I figure, "this is normal too. They had us do it at the medicinal massage place as well." Well, it was right about now that she points at my crotch and says "Massage?" with a very meaningful look. "No, no, no," I don't know how many times I shook my head, and despite this, she was very persistent. It was quite uncomfortable. I paid for a massage though, so I ended up having to just turn back over and point to my back. After all, that's really the only type of massage I like...well, from anyone other than...yea, I won't go there.
Anyways, fast forward (thank god, only about 10 minutes), and Courtney, Hai and myself were walking back to the hotel. Courtney loved her massage...in an open room with other women. Hai and myself were fairly silent - yes, it happened to him too. Well, suffice it to say, we called it an early night and just watched movies for the rest of the time before passing out.
Today, we went to the hospital to ask for permission to help out, and maybe get to know the kids. In case you have forgotten, this is a documentary on Agent Orange, and if you want to see what it is, and who the kids are, google it. We were told to come back at 8am tomorrow, and that they would try to find volunteer work for us to do. Whatever happens, we WILL have permission to film and such come next week - it would still be good to get to know the kids beforehand. After this, Courtney and I went to film some more; Hai and his cousin went to find medicine to help break the fever he acquired overnight. The day went fairly well, and now we're sitting in a cafe. They are watching Pride and Prejudice (bootlegged movie; 70 cents, an hour of peace and quiet; priceless) and I am just enjoying the net.
Well, until next post!
Peace!
