Reflections by Brett, Elise, Dani, Max, and Margot

Brett's thoughts:

Today we went to a park were we went “grass sledding” (I went grass sledding with Max, who is a horrible driver. :) , and Ostrich riding. Yes, ostrich riding--you didn't misread that! We also ate exotic meats such as crocodile, and ostrich--not the ones we rode, thankfully. The ostrich tasted just like normal beef, and crocodile tasted like chicken. After a few hours at the park we took the bus to a Buddhist orphanage, on the way to the Allezboo resort. Many of the older orphans were at school, so we did activities such as painting, picture frame making, and badminton with the younger kids. One of the young girls I worked with tried to run away multiple times, one time running out of the orphanage gate. I chased her to pick her up and take her back inside. I think she wanted to get on the bus with us. Many of these kids did not know English so we did the best we could communicating with each other without words. The nuns running the orphanage then gave us some incredibly delicious soup, which we gladly ate after a good days work.

Elise's thoughts:

Today, we visited Mango Farms. After getting super cut up while “grass sledding,” we then went to ride the ostriches. I had been looking forward to riding the ostriches since the informational meeting way back in October. Watching the people go before me, the ostriches seemed pretty calm but would occasionally speed up and give the rider a scare. I soon went to go for my turn. Once I got in the shed where about eight ostriches were waiting, I asked, “Can I have a calm ostrich?” Mr. Dang translated this to the men helping people mount the horses and they gave me an ostrich. I mounted and the men sent the ostrich out of the shed. It went running out really fast, like many did, but while most very quickly slowed down to a very slow trot, mine kept racing along. Terrified, I held on really tight. I managed to stay on to my amazement, but as it got to the end of the run and was supposed to go back to the shed, it started spinning around, throwing me way to the left. Thank goodness for soft landings and chaperones who make us wear helmets. Soon I found myself on the ground with my butt throbbing. Even though it hurts a little, I am still glad I rode the ostrich because not many people can say that they've done that.

Dani's thoughts:

we woke up ridiculously early, so we could travel to the Mango Garden Farm, visit the orphanage, and get to our resort before nighttime. At the Mango Garden farm, we saw a lot of baby crocodiles, a monkey, turkeys, and ostriches. We also went grass luging, which hurt when you fell off, and some went grass skiing. After all of that, we went to the ostriches, and rode them without any harnesses or anything, just holding really tightly onto their wings, and of course with helmets since our chaperones required them. :) It was scary because I kept feeling like I was going to slip off on either side. The ostrich didn't have many feathers where your legs went, so it was poking our legs. After I almost fell off trying to get off of the ostrich, I discovered the ostrich's dead skin all over my legs, which were sticky from the muggy weather. Yum. We ate lunch at the Mango Garden farm, where we ate ostrich meat, ostrich egg, crocodile, and some ate the ostrich's gizzard and liver. After that, we took a three hour bus ride to a Buddhist orphanage, where we colored with the kids and played badminton with them. They ranged in age from a little baby to around 8 years old, and the oldest were just coming back from school. They graciously gave us noodles and a tasty spicy broth. We finally arrive at our resort, which is so amazing. There are three swimming pools, with the beach right at our side. When we first came, they gave us towels and fruit juice. We love being pampered!

Max's thoughts:

Today was an eventful day for us. It started off very very very early. We had to get into the bus early and be on our way to the amusement park place where we could ride on ostriches. Riding ostriches was a lot of fun even though some were a bit feisty. The riding was a lot of fun. After that we went to an orphanage were we played badminton. The children were all young, nice and polite. When we arrived at Allezboo we all jumped for joy, and it was awesome. :)

Margot's thoughts:

So far we've been in Vietnam for a total of 3 days. Everyday seems so
long--because we do so much. We've gotten a lot done and it always surprises me when I
realize that we have only been here for 3 days. Today we started by
waking up at 5:30 am so that we could get an early start to go to Mango
Gardens. After a 2 hour drive we arrived at Mango Garden where there
were birds, fishing ponds, crocodiles, and ostriches. The ostriches
were the highlight of the trip. They were big and grey and losing
feathers. Overall they were not a pretty sight and very intimidating.
It was interesting since when riding the ostriches there were no
saddles or reins. All you did was hold tight to the wing bones and
hold on with your legs (and wear helmets, of course :). Although it was a once in a life time
experience...I didn't go. Yea, the ostriches were big, and I'm small.
I was scared, I admit it. But after the ostriches we ate ostriches and
crocodile. Both were good. Then we took a 3 hour ride to the
orphanage. We were low-key because it was later in the day
and there weren't as many children there as at the orphanage in Saigon but it was very fun and the nuns fed us
a lot of good food. And now we are in Allezboo!!! and Dani and I ran
onto the beach and I did a cartwheel..except not because I don't know
how to.