The internet at home has been very slow, so I haven't been able to get pictures up in a few days. There are a few on my Facebook now, so take a look at the newest album if you want the unnarrated tour. Or check back in a few days when I'll have added pictures from our weekend beach trip at Ha Tien (recommended).
Today was really challenging, as it was the first time I've interviewed a complete stranger with the help of a student interpreter. My friend Imy asked a 'favor' of me: she wanted to help me research my topic (organic farming and information dissemination). Because she is so talented at interpreting and connecting with people, I don't really think it was me that granted the favor, you know? We interviewed two households about communication systems in this tiny rural commune by the river, and we got some surprising intelligence. Apparently everyone has a cell phone for use with family and business. I guess it is only surprising when you see where they are living: pigs and snakes in cages, dogs and chickens running around everywhere, a three room house with a metal roof and metal walls.
Working with an interviewer is difficult, but I can't wait to get better at it. You have to obey certain cultural rules, formulate simple questions that cross the language barrier, and form a rapport in under an hour. The second guy said he wanted to talk to us until midnight, so Imy and I are doing alright.
Karaoke and smoothies with my homestay brother and sister tonight, very fun, except I can't sightread Vietnamese lyrics.
Building a biogas digester tomorrow, I'll be trying my hardest to get more pictures up, I know that's the best part :) Writing for me, pictures for you, right, Bob?
No comments:
Post a Comment