Visitors and Visiting

Forty-two Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross have just made their final vows. They are now on a silent retreat here at the seminary for eight days. Fr. Suit, a Jesuit from Saigon, is leading the sisters in sessions and prayer. They are all lots of fun and I enjoyed toasting each table with beer.  

I went with Tien to visit his mother. Each year I take the time to go to the house of Tien's parents. In November of 2015 his father died unexpectedly, so this was the first time to see his mother since then. She is a strong woman, but it is not easy living alone in such a big house. We posed where we always do in front of the statue of Mary. I am so glad we got to spend the time together.  

Today was a special meal at the bishop's hose, a celebration of Fr. Bo leaving for Paris to attend the ordination of one of his spiritual directees. First, Bishop Joseph spoke and said such kind words about Fr. Bo.  

Then Fr. Bo spoke in his usual soft spoken style. He has been my spiritual director on my visits to Vietnam and I miss him greatly when he's not here. He will return a few days before I leave and I look forward to his stories from France.  

Visiting Ba and the Big Game

Sometimes just visiting makes all the difference. I went with Fr. them and Hien to spend time with Ba, a 95 year old widow whose home is 8 feet by 8 feet. He children let her live in a room and do not spend time with her. The ministry of presence is so important for people like Ba who have very little contact with the outside world.  

Here I'm am with Fr. them standing with Ba, and Hien with One of Ba's grand nephews. We all laughed and enjoyed each other's company. We promised to visit her in two weeks. She cried when we left.

We got back in time for the Big Game, which pits the students at the seminary with the students at the cathedral. It was a knockdown, drag out fight to the end.  

In the end it was Seminary 6 and Cathedral 3. Here is Head Coach (and head of the seminary) Fr. Vong celebrating after the game. We had no Gatorade, so we just had ice water and called it a day.

The Classes and a Haircut

In the morning, I teach the advanced class in English to the seminarians. We work on pronunciation, speaking, and reading comprehension. In August they have their examination to enter the major seminary in Hanoi and English is an important part of the test.  

The afternoon is the time for the intermediate class. Here they have their English basics, but need lots of vocabulary and pronunciation work.  

I needed a haircut and Fr. An was going to take me to a barber in town (very expensive - $1), but then Truong volunteered to do it after he cut Huy's hair. Here Huy is getting the VIP treatment.  

Then it was my turn. I have to say that Truong did a professional job, but I was constantly getting razzed by the students. You see...well, look at the next photo.  

While I was getting the haircut, the students were weeding the lawn and watching. As you know, you can't keep your dignity with college students around.

The Seminary Grounds

I am mostly staying on the campus of the minor seminary in Phat Diem. Once in a while I will spend some time at the cathedral. This morning I took a walk at sunrise around the seminary. It was perfect weather, a slight breeze and cool.  

This is the eastern side of the retreat center on the seminary grounds. If you look carefully, on the third floor ledge there are some shoes. It's a game that is sometimes played, with the winner going home with one bare foot.  

Alongside the retreat center is one of two gardens kept by the sisters where all the greens used for the meals are frown. The sisters are amazing farmers and can grow anything.  

Exotic birds are kept. They each have special care instructions. Their music is haunting first thing in the morning.  

Fr. An has a large orchid garden. He knows what to do and when to do it so that they all thrive and blossom.  

The colors of the orchids and their shapes vary greatLy, and together it's like a symphony of color.

Back Again

  Hello, everyone. So here I am again in Vietnam. I missed coming in 2015 because of my being with my father. Now begins my time teaching and being with my friends in the countryside. After so many years coming here, I travel pretty light. Oh her than this suitcase, I brought my computer and books for Fr. Vong and for Binh.

Danny took me to the airport. I was early, but that put me early in line. Danny stayed with me until I checked in.

While I was waiting for my flight, up came my former student Edwin Lindo. Edwin graduated from Serra High School and is famous in the Bay Area. He was one of the protestors against police brutality in San Francisco through a hunger strike. We prayed for him at school. I am happy to say he was successful and now is looking very healthy.  He is truly a fine man.

At No Bai International! Binh, Vinh, and young Nam Vu met me in the new terminal. It was good to see them in person after two years. We sat down and relaxed and talked. Lots of hugs all around. We waited for two hours until Bishop Joseph and Fr. Hien arrived, then I left for Phat Diem. I will see this special family again in a week.

After a good dinner in PHat Diem, I slept soundly. As always, my morning started out with coffee and my good friend Mr. Hieu. This has been our daily routine for years now. Sometimes we talk, and sometimes we just sit and try to wake up. A fine start to any day.

Fr. An was taking me to the bishop's house for dinner from the seminary and I didn't have a helmet to ride the motorbike. It's the law here, so we went to visit Mr. Hoa's store. We are in Vietnam, so first we had tea and talked for a while. Then I tried on some until Mr. Hoa was satisfied it was not only safe and fit me well, but that I looked good in it. In the end, he gave it to me as a gift. Now I have another friend in Phat Diem.  

Leaving

With Binh at the airport. It was a fun month, but all good things must come to an end.

WIth Vinh.

Binh and Vinh.

So, at the airport, Binh got me the seat near the emergency door. I was so pleased when I got on and then, no one sat in the next two seats. When I went to the lavatory, I found that none of the emergency door seats had been taken. Who knew? Anyway, it was nice to have the room.

Just before landing in Taipei, I noticed all of these lights on the ocean facing mainland China. I don't know what they were, but it was beautiful. And far away I could see lightning.

The Last Day in Vietnam

After getting up late and Binh trying to change my airplane seat to the emergency door aisle (more on that later), we stopped to pick up the family care that was being fixed by a friend.

Here is the mechanic's son, one of Binh's students, and an English award winner. He's on an Indian motorcycle that his dad restored.

The streets in Hanoi were crowded, as usual. This is the corner where we are waiting for Vinh to bring the car around.

We then went to a special German panini shop. This is the owner who worked for 15 years in Germany, then brought back the secret of the panini to Hanoi. He's pretty famous here and the food was fantastic.

This is the poster for the restaurant. He got lots of publicity when the restaurant got reviewed in the papers, and now there are a slew of knockoffs around the city.

The restaurant itself is just a passageway that people use to access the apartments above. Donerkebap is the name and the food is tremendous.

Then we went to see Nam Vu's new school. This is the mother of one of Nam Vu's classmates. She is an engineer by trade. After school, she helps the two boys with their math and Binh helps with English.

 After saying goodbye to Nam Vu at his school, we went to this pho shop. It was pouring outside and it was good to be dry. Part of a chain, the interior was spotless, the workers wore plastic gloves, and the food was fresh and clean.

Iced tea to drink for Vinh and Binh and myself.

There was just enough time for me to go back to the house, shower, and get ready. Since the street is not wide enough, Vinh took us by motorbike to the car. It was an exciting way to end the visit.