Today is the last day of third Residential PMP Program in Penang. It should be one more year I might be coming back here, staying in B-Suite where I am in writing this blog, just to share with you what I have been experiencing this time. Penang is still here: so nice, sweet, and in order. The weather in Penang should be cold season now but comparing to the one of where I come from, it is warm here. It rains sometimes, as I witness, 3 nights. People speak English, serve with excellence, and response with heart to request. Everytime I am here, I still find something new and interesting. Just right in front of the hotel I am staying, people put their buckets along the street to reserve the parking place! Like in VN, we put a brick to reserve our place. When we took the ferry over the sea, I can tell Penang is like any other places. Poor people choose cheap means of transportation. The ferry is very big, and creates the feeling of safety for passengers. Penang is not really big, but the deep-sea port often welcomes star-cruises. From the ferry, I saw 3 star-cruises at the port. So amazing regardless of poor investments in beach tourism. Tourists come here for ancient town named George, an UNESCO World Cultural Heritage City in Penang. People come here for shopping. People come here for the retained naturals. This time is not for shopping, but shoppers think (out-of-the-box) of different ways to sell. In July, I enjoyed 50%, even up to 70% discount (sale-off). This time, only 10% or maximum but rare 50% only. From Gurney Shopping Mall to hotel B-Suite, I took the taxi and one thing happened that recover my memory of an old friend. The taxi driver is around 28, but his knowledge seems to be huge! He can speak English fluently, talk about financial crisis, history of Vietnam, the current world situations... He deserves a good job from a good company, not driving taxi. We think this man used to study too much and faced a shock of his life, then he sometimes looses his control on what he's talking about. C'est la vie!
That's Penang, a state of Malaysia! Coming to Penang this time, the Vietnamese student group has made a very impressive performance at the Gala Dinner celebrating EDS Business School's 8th Anniversary. The ladies wear "ao dai" - a traditional dress of Vietnamese women. Men wear casually. We sing the song "Den voi con nguoi Vietnam toi" (Come to my Vietnamese People), with the music played back. SGN group also brought VN flags for us to swing. When we are going to leave the party, one of the lady reminds others not to leave the flags there. I do think that's an admirable and thoughtful person. When we go outboundary, we are not us at all. We represent Vietnam and Vietnamese people. Whatever we do, whatever we say and however we behave, it reflects Vietnamese behaviors. That is why in assignments, in group discussion, we try our best not to be backward to foreign students. So far the reality has proved that Vietnamese students are the best, best in joining the discussion, best in giving valuable ideas, best in presentation, best in many other activities. Today, after all sessions had ended, we gathered for closing, photo taken, certificate delivery and recognition. One of the members of the school showed us 3 shows from his camera. One performance was Indian Dance, one was break dance - for fun. The rest was so crazy and of non-sense! 2 Vietnamese and 1 Malaysian ladies are in the street or shopping mall... A handsome and young man approached and tried to make acquaitaince with these ladies, of course, not 3 at the same time. He tried one by one, and all the three girls pushed him out, even slapped him away. Then came another young man holding money in hand, showing his money, walking around the three ladies. The three ladies immediately held his hands, lean his shoulder and followed him. Badly was this man a Malaysian guy. Worse were 2 of the 3 ladies Vietnamese! And worst did most of people in the performance and in the room seeing the clip clap their hands and laughed in an innocent manner!!!
I agree that was just a show for fun. But don't people remember they are Vietnamese people and are in Malaysia - a foreign country, not their country? What will Malaysian, Singaporean people think about Vietnamese people in general and Vietnamese women in particular? I am very upset with this show and of course I never clap my hands for such a "-------" activity!
If any of my schoolmates reads this blog, they may think that I am too serious, even some will think I'm mad, and even some will email me and critisize me. I welcome all, as I know the true value of my country, true value of my people, and true value of each bahavior Vietnamese people make. If this had happened in VN, there wouldn't have been a matter to think. If this had been shown among Vietnamese people only, there would have been very fine. Who thought of this show should think about it seriously.
Time to sleep for tomorrow flight.
Penang Nov 12 - 2010#23:15
