11th Mar

Today’s Plan : A.M.  Interview the vice president of Vietnam Blind Association

                   Arrange a schedule of interviews

             P.M.  Look for a place to stay

9:00 @ Vietnam Blind Association

This morning I visited Vietnam Blind Association. Although here is the head office which controls 43 provincial offices across the country, the building is a little bit gloomy and silent. None of my Vietnamese friends know this association although they always drive past this building. Firstly, I met the secretary to arrange the research schedule. She introduced me some person who is appropriate for the interview of my research. In order to interview them, I need to go to rural provinces by myself. I hope everything will go well.

After that, I interviewed the vice president of this association. He explained about this association and the situation of the blind people with enthusiasm.

13:00@ Hanoi City center

In the afternoon, Mr. Anh took me the city center to help me to find a hotel. Because I’m not good at negotiating, he was quite helpful. We looked around some hotels but I didn’t decide to move right away. I may change the house from place to place during six weeks.　

In this country, especially in Hanoi city, traffic congestion is a very serious problem. As the number of cars increased so much over the years, this problem is now more serious than it used to be. Buses, cars, motor bikes and bicycles have to go in the same lane. I used to go to school by bicycle when I lived here four years ago. But it’s too dangerous now.

 

20:00@ Police

Vietnam is very strict with foreigner since this country is a communist country. When foreigners stay at a regular house, it is required to inform police even if it’s a short term. This evening I went to police with host father to register my stay.

********************************************************************

Today, there was a massive quake in Japan. In the afternoon, I spent much of my time to make sure the safety of my family.

At first, the telephone line in Japan was not available because of the quake. But a few hours later, it finally got through and fortunately, everybody was safe.

Footage of Tsunami was just awful. I still can’t believe that this terrible disaster happened in my country.