This is a compilation of excerpts from Anna Wilson's Vietnam journal, and letters and faxes from Steve and Anna Wilson to friends and family back home in Durham, N.C.

New Year's Day, Hanoi, Anna's journal

We are staying in the old part of the city, the northeast section near Hoan Kiem Lake. Narrow streets.

Nearly every dwelling is a storefront with goods to sell or food and drink to sell.

Already at 6 a.m., people are setting out their little charcoal grills to offer breakfast soup (pho) and other items. Women and children transport goods and sell from double baskets suspended from a shoulder pole: eggs, fruit, kohlrabi, cabbages, carrots, heaps of noodles cooked and uncooked, raw meat, live chickens, fish, cilantro. The rooftops remind me of Paris: red tiles, peaked, varied heights and great variety in upkeep. Old and new mixed together. Ramshackle lean-tos added on to every available roof and ground space or wall.

January 3. Letter to daughter Lisa

It's great to be here. Asia is truly very different from the United States and Europe. People sweep the sidewalk in front of their very small living/storefront space. They gather in family-friendly groups with a little brazier on the sidewalk to cook and eat and sell dinner.

People have been very friendly everywhere. Many people say hello and speak a little English with a big smile. We were walking in Hanoi yesterday when a college student said ‘hello,' and we ended up talking to him and 15 classmates from law school for an hour. They are not troubled by the Vietnam War. They have moved on. Also, daily survival is harder here for everyone.

January 4, Cao Lanh, Anna's journal

Steve Wilson hands out scholarships to Vietnamese students. There are 10 people in our group, counting the leader Warren and Miss Anh, our guide and interpreter.

There is an order to Global Volunteers that encourages trust and team building among ourselves, to promote better and kinder ambassadorship and English teaching with our host country. It is a good idea.

In the morning and evening we have team meetings to discuss the structure of the day, to pass around teaching tips, tell stories, or whatever. It can be sort of technical, funny or very personal. Each morning, one of us will give a "thought for the day," another will read a journal entry for the previous day, written in a Global Volunteer notebook.

January 5, Anna's journal

I am anxious about teaching. How to organize what? This morning's class seemed to be better: I talked about myself, family, the U. S. We learned and sang "Row, row" in rounds! We worked on "F", "X", "2" and "Th" sounds. I felt like we made helpful progress. Two students helped me with translating and pronunciation. We will see a new class of mixed ages tonight and tomorrow night and then classes will stabilize for two weeks.

January 10, Cao Lanh, Letter to friend Sara

This week we have worked hard teaching English to college students and a very mixed group of community members. All of the students seem to work hard. Mostly, we have talked to them about ourselves, U. S. students and colleges, and Durham. We try to loosen them up, and then encourage them to ask us questions. Our main job is to get them to speak English and to help with their pronunciation. They respond with bravery and courage. I think my main problem may be in falling seriously in love with them, as you can imagine. They seem to realize that, which is so sweet. Yesterday, the students applauded when I came in. There are 30 to 50 students in each of my classes. I am totally worn out after each class, but it's very exhilarating.

January 12, Fax to Freehold Land Surveys, Inc. (Steve's business)

Greetings to all. I hope things are going well there in Carrboro. Both Anna and I love being here so far. Our teaching schedule is heavier than we thought; it is also more exhausting to teach than I thought...

Our food is great! We eat in small restaurants, people's homes, pagodas, at street stands. No ill effects yet, knock on wood. Fresh mangoes, oranges, a type of plum, etc. Fresh greens and vegetables (including turnip greens and okra), great fish, hot peppers.

The country is beautiful, although we only get there on weekends. We ride on the backs of students' motorbikes when we go far, i.e., yesterday we went 34 kilometers each way to a picnic.

The people and the place are wonderful and I thank all of you for this time you have given us.

January 12, Letter to Lisa, Bo, Nathan, Clara, Benjamin

We have all taught the students American folk songs. Anna has been especially popular for this and she cries when they sing their songs to her. I think they like her especially among the group. So we have had fun and good times and I'll have much to tell you when I get home.

January 15, Letter to Gracie (Anna's mom)

The students here work really hard. They are very respectful of elders. One of their national holidays is to honor their teachers with poems, cards and gifts. Great idea!

I have loved being with these people. They are very poor in material wealth, but loving, generous and very hardworking. They greatly value contact with foreigners. Working hard and willing to learn from others. Their families and community commitments are very strong. We could learn a lot from them!

I've had fun playing my flute the past few days, Teaching "Red River Valley," "'Tis a Gift To Be Simple." "Vive la companie" to my classes. One of the teachers is a terrific musician, guitar player and singer. Great ear. We've played Vietnamese and U. S. songs together, and even recorded several last night on their language lab equipment - nice equipment, but about 10 years older than any tape recorder and mike we would use at home.

Our classes ended today with gifts and speeches and tears. I was a regular waterworks as you can imagine. Fruit, flowers and photographs were also part of this closure, for men and women alike.

Speech made by Anna: "We have come to Vietnam for many different reasons: for holiday, to learn about your culture, to revisit as friends rather than as soldiers, to teach English to your hardworking students and teachers. We are happy to give our time and our financial assistance to you. We are honored by your friendship. My life will always be richer from my visit with the Vietnamese people."