This is the ReUnification palace in Ho Chi Minh City where the Peace Treaty ending the "American War" was signed.  As an American, I must comment that I had many mixed feelings walking up to the Palace and in touring through the rooms.  It was as though I was walking back in history and rereading and reliving all the newspaper articles and videos from the 1970s.  Those were my college days and I remember very vividly the war details as they were reported. 

Here are Jane and me standing with the bust of Ho Chi Minh with the communist symbolic colors of the red backdrop with the golden star. 

Next- we attended the National Water Puppet Theatre.  What a treat and what a talent the puppeteers have the way they move their puppets to tell the village stories!  We had seats in the 2nd row and the details were magnificent.

Here is the farmer out fishing to provide dinner for his family

On the right side of the puppet stage sit the musicians.  All instruments are traditional homemade Vietnamese instruments. 

Here the farmer is plowing his fields with his trusty water buffalo.  Every Farmer has a water buffalo!

After our day of touring the city, we opted for a boat tour down the Saigon River.  There were 6 of us in our tour group.  We were treated to a traditional Vuetnamese dinner and music.  What a delightful evening.

Cruise boats on the Saigon River decorate themselves with many lights.

Jane took this picture.  This looks like a postcard- beautiful

OK- we didn't really drive or ride the motorscooter, but we did ask permission to take a picture as though we did!

Ho Chi Minh City

My colleague , Jane, and I arrived 2 days before the meetings and workshop began so we could adjust to the time difference. The weather was cool and beautiful and we decided to book a city tour. What a fantastic time we had- we didn't realize we would be the only 2 people on the tour- WOW - our own private tour. First we visited a pagoda, then toured through China Town in 'cyclos', and ended with some shopping time! Enjoy the pictures we took!

 

 

  Here is the Pagoda God watching as people leave the Pagoda- he keeps his eyes on all that you do and no one dare cause harm to anyone or thing within the Pagoda

 

 Here is the Pagoda as we are approaching it.  Within the square fountain area are hundreds of small turtles.  These bring good luck and visitors may purchase a turtle and take it up to the right side in the front fo the Pagoda and deliver your turtle to its rightful place

Note the 2 dragons at the top of the Pagoda.  They face each other so as to protect from all sides

NOte the 2 dragons at the top of th ePagoda

The Dragons protect the Pagoda.  There are always a 'father' and a 'mother' dragon.  The 'mother' is on the left side and her left paw is on her baby for protection and love

 

The 'father' dragon is on the right side and has his right paw on the top of a ball, symbolizing his playful nature with his baby

As you walk into the Pagoda, notice the 2 lanterns:  these represent 2 eyes watching over the Pagoda always.



  This alter holds symbolic figures of special interest and value to the Pagoda.  Notice the lady with the many arms.  Each arm has powers to protect against specific dangers.

 

What a pair of tourists!  The cyclo ride through China Town was fabulous.  Jane and I laughed throughout the entire 30 minutes.  Not sure if we enjoyed it or were scared to death with the million or so motor scooters zipping around us on all sides!  But we did survive.

 



Cathy wanted to purchase a dragon kite for a souvener so the cyclo drivers stopped at this kite store and assisted in negotiating the price for 2 dragon kites!!

 

 

Here are our two cyclo drivers.  The man still seated was our tour guide.

Back to Tanzania!

Our consultant group has been invited back to Morogoro, Tanzania to facilitate a 4-day workshop explaining how to interpret their Laboratory Assessment and Gap Analysis reports.  We will demonstrate how the lab managers develop Plans of Action to address and fill in the areas in their labs that do not meet international quality standards.
It is great to return and see lab colleagues, celebrate improvements made in their labs, share stories about our families and mutual friends, and of course, talk about laboratory issues and interesting case studies!!!

Panoramic view of Morogoro City Square!

Morogoro facts:

• Urban population of 206,868 
• 190 km west of Dar es Salaam.
• The capital of the Morogoro Region.
• Known informally as "Mji kasoro bahari," which translates as 'city short of an ocean/port'.
• 80% of Morogoro's water supply comes from the Mindu Dam on the Ngerengere River. The dam project, begun in 1978, has been surrounded by controversy. The new body of standing water has led to high rates of bilharzia infection (Shistosomasis), and mercury run-off from gold mining nearby the dam has caused pollution of the city's water supply
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a sister city of Morogoro as designated by Sister Cities International

Our workshops always begin with the participants setting their Group Rules!
I now add this important activity to any workshops I facilitate in the United states as it sets the rules and everyone has input!

We also ask each aprticipant 2 questions:
1.  Why did they choose to attend this workshop?
2.  What information/skill do they hope to learn or master?

Here is a summary of their responses.  Before the workshop ends we go through each of these expectations and ask if the participants felt they achieved their expectations.  It is important to our group that we have done what the participants have requested of us.

                                                                  Town center with taxi stands and Dalla Dallas (buses)



View of the mountains from Morogoro Town