21 Ky Con Street

My first week was spent at 21 Ky Con Street in the Phu Nhuan district of Saigon (not to be confused with the bigger, same named street, in district one). Actually, Ky Con is not even a street, really, more of an alleyway. It's not on most maps, but Phan Đang Luu, the street it is off of, usually is. Map of Ho Chi Minh City

There were 10 girls, students aged 18-25, also living in the house, along with 3 nuns who run a daycare for about 20 kids, ages 2-5. It was a fun place to be, but there were people running around all the time so it was hard to focus. Everyone also constantly wanted to practice their English with me, while I wanted to work on my Vietnamese. I eventually decided to move to another location where I could focus more on music, be able to practice, and rest up so that my leg (burn from motorbike exhaust pipe) could heal faster. There were a few rough days when I was a bit feverish and on antibiotics.



this is my "bedroom" which is actually an unfinished chapel.
notice how mary and joseph are still covered in saran wrap.


laundry room


kids! that the nuns look after


more kiddies


balcony


view from balcony


Phan Xich Long market


Phan Xich Long market


Tue An and Khanh ("Plasma") on the right
beggar on the left


Trang "Lovely" buying some fruit


In Vietnam, motorbikes carry anything and everything.
I saw a guy riding with a freakin' full-sized
refridgerator on his back today. so dangerous.


Xuan "Bi" (Squash), Tue An, me and Anh Thu