Change: 9/19/11 11:30 am. Ha Noi, Viet Nam. School

It's Monday morning again. I had an awesome weekend with my brother, and family. Friday night we went out to Lenin park where street art flourished. BMX, skateboarding, rollerblading, breakdancing, hip-hop, futbol tricks, and small kids flooded the small square. It was amazing. You could be anyone there, and do anything; it didn't matter. I mainly talked with my brother, and watched kids skate; only hopping on a board a few brief times due to my lack of skill. I definitely consider myself a snowboarder, or long-boarder; although i'm hoping to nail a kickflip by the end of this. Saturday night was really fun. We went to a "tattoo party." Basically it was a dj playing at a bar/tattoo parlor. The music was great, and they were doing free piercings. I'm not sure how I feel about declining the once in a lifetime offer, but I suppose my parents are happy with my decision, plus it might have been hard to explain a brand new lip piercing to my host parents. When paying the entrance fee, you also get a ticket for one free drink, and another free drink if you have a tattoo. I was one of the few bare-skinned people in there (possibly soon to change though haha). I know my parents don't really approve, but I'm an artist. I can't do anything else. It's really only a matter of time before I get one, and to get one here would make it all the more meaningful. I'm not dumb either; this time here will never be relived. Even if I come back, and stay at the same house; it will never be like this again. I don't ever want to forget what I've learned or experienced here. I think I'm at the point in my life where permanency can be a positive thing. Some people consider their bodies a temple, I consider mine a canvas. I'm proud of every scar I've earned. I hope I'm not scaring my parents by writing this. I'm still me. I don't think my values or views on life have changed much, but have become more amplified and real. I've still got a lot of time here though, and know some things will change within me.

Some madd skating at Lenin park.

Another skater getting down, and working up a sweat.

The city of Ha Noi at night.

Saturday afternoon we took a day trip to the small craft village of Bat Trang. It was actually a lot of fun. The town specializes in pottery. We met the main craftsman who is considered one of the best in Vietnam. We were privileged to see his workshop in the process of a major project. He is making 24 large earns for the celebration of the new king. There were about six people in the small room working diligently as we snapped photos and gawked at their meticulous art. Later we had lunch in an upstairs restaurant that overlooked the small market. After our meal we were taken to a small concrete building, that was covered with color from the prison like graffiti on the walls. It was our chance to attempt our own pottery. Using hand-spun wheels, and a lump of fresh clay we set to the task; only succeeding after being helped multiple times by the crafts-women their. It was a great experience and a small breath of fresh air from the metropolis of Ha Noi. Our director decided to give us a taste of the public transportation, so we took the bus for 3000 vnd (roughly 5 cents). Even though we were packed on their like sardines, the scenery we passed was incredible, and the abrupt transition from the country to city is unbelievable.

Sunday afternoon I went out with my family and took a little trip around the lake. It was so nice to go out with them and take some pictures. We went to the cafe that my father has gone to every Sunday for over 20 years, and then walked around until a small lunch right off the street. After seeing the Ha Noi no foreigner would ever witness, we had sweet drinks; milk tea, and citrus juice at a marvelous cafe that overlooked the lake and city. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon, and a perfect end to the weekend.

The bus station