Hi all
So for those who have been following, this is my last 10 days in Hoi An. It is always sad when I come to the end of my time here. I have had so much fun here this year and have cemented lifelong friendships, my home away from home will never be too far away from my thoughts.
Now whats been happening? One of the highlights was going to Tam Ky to watch some of our kids compete in the provincial swimming championships. It was amazing to see the kids race and the enthusiasm of the sport teachers. Of course the Hoi An kids did very well followed closely by Duy Xuchen (one of the other areas we teach at). Have a look on Swim Vietnam's and Water Skills for Life Facebook for photos of the day. And for those who are thinking it must have been a professional event like in Australia, well no! You have kids competing against each other who are of different ages ie One of our Swim Vietnam teachers kids who swims amazing breaststroke is 8yrs old and was up against 12yr boys!! Anyway it was a vast improvement from last year Jo told me as everyone finished their races. Last year only 1/2 managed to finish so this is a vast improvement. Just goes to show how far swimming has come in one year.
So I have not been in the pool teaching until last Saturday and helped Jo with the expat kids. The money she raises from renting the pool and doing these lessons helps support the swim program. I have had a great time showing Jo how I teach these little kids back in Australia and I have even done a few baby classes!! Back to singing all those wonderful songs (wheels on the bus, zoom zoom zoom were going to the moon, ring a ring a rosy just to name a few). On Friday Jo Trung and Vinh came to my homestay so they could do the Assessors course online for their Austswim. They needed this to be able to sign new teachers off once they have completed the course and training hours. It was an interesting morning as Jo and I had to explain some of the questions in simple terms and thanks to google translate as well, the two of them are now assessors as well as presenters of Austswim Teacher of swimming and Water Safety. So proud of these guys they have worked hard and have done really well.
Apart from this I have been saying my good byes to friends here and have had many coffee's and dinner invitations. I was fortunate enough to be invited to Chien's grandparents house to enjoy dinner with them and all the family. What made it really special was that when Chien come to pick me up, and his son was with him, and as we were leaving the heavens opened up... OMG! you should have seen the down pour but this doesn't stop things here so donned a poncho and with motorbike helmet on, the three of us were riding through the rain and the enormous puddles on the back of the motorbike to our destination. Its all about the experience isn't it?? I was told later that this is what it is pretty much like in the rainy season (we are at the beginning of it now).
That brings us to Saturday night. We had a small farewell for two of the volunteers Marita and Lloyd who have been here with me for the past 6 weeks at a local restaurtant just across from my homestay. We had a nice night with plenty of beer drinking and mawt hai ba's going on. It was also a goodbye for me (and see you next year Tanya) from the teachers but rest assured there will be plenty of opportunities to say farewell to them all over the last few days here in Hoi An.
Well what an adventure this year. So all of you who might like to come next year I am sure you would have a blast. There are plenty of other things you can do to help Swim Vietnam other than teaching in the pool so let me know, it would be an experience let me tell you.
See you all too soon
Tanya
PS I forgot to mention, Chien and Trung will be arriving in Australia Mid February and spending time in Melbourne with Paul Sadler Swimland and coming to Sydney to stay with me for a few days. Very exciting indeed!!
Tanya Carmont
President, Water Skills for Life Inc.
Ph: +61 (0)438 828 725
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