I have a more active social life in Can Tho than I do in Chicago, it seems.

Happy New Year! 
I start working with a Can Tho pediatrician's autism and developmental disabilities clinic tomorrow. The last two days have been full of group activities, including a huge welcome party with Can Tho General Hospital and a 10 (!!) hour tour of the Mekong Delta region. 

I can show you some of Can Tho, which is a growing regional center in the Mekong Delta region. 

The park along the river features a gold statue of Ho Chi Minh.

It's the 20th anniversary of Can Tho becoming a "central-level" city in the province. 

Lots of lights for the 20th anniversary festival, New Year's, and the Tet holiday at the beginning of February. 

Gratuitous name thing

Nursery school

If you are walking around the Ho Chi Minh Plaza, you might be approached by tweens who are looking to practice their English. This conversation was one of my favorites, because she was very prepared (pictured with her mother). She had a list of questions to practice, including asking about my favorite foods, how many brothers I have, how do I like Can Tho, how long I will stay here, and what the weather is at my home.

In past years, I've been asked for my email address to continue to practice over email. In this case, I was friended by this girl's mom on Zalo, the Vietnamese version of What's App. I'm waiting for my chat session to begin! 

12/31/2023: All-day (for the strong) welcome/anniversary/New Year party with the staff at Can Tho General Hospital. Dance floor, fancy karaoke setup, SO much food and beverages.

Thuy was one of the project's first interpreters in our 2003 and 2005 trips. She was an undergrad at Can Tho University then. Now she is an associate professor of chemical engineering at Can Tho University! She came to the party with her husband and two kids. It really made my day to have this full-circle moment to reconnect with her. Here, she is talking with Meir, one of the team surgeons.

Dan, intake specialist, talking with one of the hospital folks

Folks from the full IEP team, past and present.

Front courtyard of the party site. Vegas style!

Ready for the Year of the Dragon.

Next time-- a 10-hour tour of some of the nearby islands in the Mekong Delta... and my week at an autism clinic in another Can Tho hospital. Check out the International Extremity Project's blog for more surgery and hospital-related photos: www.extremityproject.blogspot.com