My first trip out of Hanoi

At the weekend I managed to get out of Hanoi after a few failed attempts where I ended up lost in the suburbs on my bike. I did this by getting a load of my ex students from the CELTA course to take me out. It was brilliant to be free from the city and all the fumes. Though it was very misty I was able to see a few buddist temples and a holy cave complete with candles and various holy stones.

I also got the CELTA report and was quite happy to see it was really positive about me. It certainly means a lot and I've already noticed there are a lot of schools out here who seem keen on employing me. I realised how prepared I am when I met some other people from the UK doing something similar. One had actually managed to fail the CELTA or dropped out on his first attempt and the others were doing some kind of 'gap year' placement where they get a week's training and get paid a few dollars for their needs. It's certainly a far cry from the professional organisations that exist out here that I'm chasing after but it was positive to see that I'm a bit above the bottom of the ladder in the EFL world.

Anyway this week is all about applying for different jobs and trying to get some fixed hours for starting to work......

CELTA finished!!!

Ok firstly sorry for not posting at all but I have been very very busy and hard-working for the last few weeks. The CELTA (Certificate of English language teaching to adults) is intense and it is the most recognised qualifications for a reason.

I have now passed and been told that I'm going to get a good report. The next stage is for me to find a job over here....
Over the last few weeks I've started to really enjoy being up there teaching English and have really found it is something I can do for a while. The amount of response and interesting things you hear from people is amazing.

I've now got some time off to collect my thoughts and prepare for the next stage.....my first job. I haven't got any job 'guaranteed' so I'm starting to apply to various places to get myself on the ladder.

I've now got a motorbike and I'm riding round Hanoi as much as I can. Though yes it is a pretty scary experience once you get used to having to beep your horn and see people going the wrong way up one way streets it becomes quite routine. (well the Vietnamese seem to be relaxed with the whole thing)
It certainly stops me from getting ripped off (by Vietnamese standards) by the dodgy taxi drivers or motorbike drivers that decide the price depending on how much they think they can get out of you.

Last night's experience involved a prostitute hopping on the back and trying to persuade me to take the additional services of the taxi ride. It was actually hillarious because this all happend on the back of a small scooter with the driver, me sanwiched between them and this prostitute on the back trying to tempt me. She soon gave up though and found another bike back into the centre to find more customers.

Anyway hope all is well with you all and I will try and post more often now I will be touring round a bit more.