Friday, October 2, 2009


Wow, it's difficult to express the depth of our gratitude! After 10 weeks of living out of suitcases, we moved into our new home on Monday and today the PlanetMAX people came and hooked up our internet so that we can now give you a pictorial update on what we've been up to since we left you all on July 20th.


July 20 - 27 - Staying at University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO. to attend an orientation of English Language Institute(ELI) as an organization.

Time to rise and shine for our last day in Ft. Collins orientation.

Last minute session to get our travel documents.

July 27-29 - From 2:00 pm Monday until 9:35 pm Tuesday (US midwest time) travelling from Greeley, CO to Hanoi, Vietnam via Denver, LA, and Taiwan (total trip 31.5 hours) - arriving Hanoi at local time of 9:35 a.m.

On the bus to Denver airport. July 27, 1 p.m.

Waiting in line with our team at Denver while our tickets are sorted out.

In Los Angles, ready to check in for the next leg to Tapei.

1 a.m. and still smiling as we wait...

Deplaning in Tapei, after 14.5 hour flight

Waiting in the shiny Tapei airport, for our flight to Hanoi.

Yea! 31.5 hours later we arrived in Hanoi - July 29 - 9:35 am - ready for 4 weeks of TESOL training.

August 28 - August 23 - Hanoi - what an experience! Maybe some of you saw the video of us crossing a typical Hanoi street... Anyway, we were there for 4 weeks of cultural and teacher training classes. During the final week we taught actual English classes at a univeristy in Hanoi.

Hanoi traffic.


But how do we get across?


You step out in faith!


Check it out.
http://jlirowley.blogspot.com/2009/07/crossing-street.html

HaLong Bay for a weekend.

Pamela teaching in Vietnam.


Mark teaching with his eyes closed!




Hair cut and shave on the streets in Hanoi, cost - $1.50

August 23 - Reached our destination of Vientiane, Laos! :-)

Pha That Luang is the most important national monument in Laos. It is a symbol of both the Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty.

August 23 - September 28 - Lao language school, cultural classes and team meetings

Nothing tastes so good as an orange soda with roasted chicken tails.

The catch of the day, fresh and delicious.

Our transport to language school every day with part of our team.

Moving day!

August 28 - Moved into our new home - without a doubt, a gift from above!

The front

Our kitchen


Our living room

Stay tuned there's more to come....