Halfway through the volunteer journey: Missing and loving

When I first became a student, the word “volunteer” was very far away from me. That was voluntary, what else? Now, joining the History Department’s volunteer student team for the Green Summer at Tan Dan, I truly understand its meaning.It was the 10th day, halfway through the volunteer journey, and I felt regretful. Time flies so fast! Soon I will have to leave everyone, leave Tan Dan... Thinking back, I felt so foolish on the first day. The first day I had to go far away. I said I would go far away, but I have lived away from home for 2 years now, but it still feels like I am about to go very far. My luggage was packed the night before: toothbrush, toothpaste, medicine, etc. I always tried to think about what I was missing. I was both excited and scared because I was living with people I did not know. 20 days, was it as long as 20 "centuries"? Or as short as 20 hours? Carrying my luggage on the road, it was not the first time I wore the green volunteer shirt, but I felt a little strange. A little shaky, nervous and... I felt older. When I arrived at the school gate, I saw everyone in green shirts. How friendly they were. Everyone was smiling and cheerful, which reassured me. The people were enthusiastic and approachable. The blue shirt, the familiar yet approachable color. Looking at everyone, it was like we had known each other for a long time. The feeling was strangely familiar! "Put it here, hehe" - Miss Thao was reminding the logistics team. Instant noodles, cooking oil, cups,... What a logistics team. "If the rear is strong, the front line will be strong", I remembered the front line and the rear to die. All around, people were chattering. "This morning we ate instant noodles" - "Oh, I only got a piece of bread" - "I haven't eaten anything yet. I'm so nervous I can't eat". Nguyen Trai Street was still bustling with the sound of vehicles. I took a deep breath. Goodbye Hanoi, we're going! Tan Dan - where we will go and stay. After nearly 2 hours on the bus, the whole team cheered tirelessly. Folk songs from the 3 regions of the North and South, Cheo Tuong,... Dang Huynh pulled out everything. The bus was filled with a bunch of stuff, everyone was carrying their luggage in different sizes. The car stopped in front of the alley of the small house. The whole team was teasing each other about staying here when... "We're here! Let's get down!" - Hai Black (team leader) shouted loudly. "Really?" - The whole team grinned. We went deeper, the alley was quite winding, there were houses under construction, big houses, small houses,... "When will this alley end?" - Huynh playfully sang along to the melody. The whole team had another good laugh. Looking up, there was a pretty pink 2-story house. "Our team will stay here" - Quang, the deputy secretary of Tan Dan commune's youth union, said to Hai Black. Just arrived, the spirit was still high, posing, taking pictures and selfies. Let's just say no one is as good as us students. The first day the whole team got to rest and settle down. Mr. Hanh, the owner of the house, was about 50 years old, easy-going and generous. He loved us like his own children. Bowls, chopsticks, pots and pans were all ready. I remember the first day I was nervously carrying my things up. All 7 female monsters in my room shared a room. But we got along so well. Hai Black always reminded us to “laugh less”. As soon as he came down, we burst out laughing again. Quynh, always proud of herself as Khong Tu Quynh, with a pretty “lark” voice. Bang “fat” was adorable but too innocent. Mui was teased as “Convertible”. Chuc was quite pretty and had the nickname “Co butt”. Trang was skillful with paper fashion, paper flowers and painting. Ha “MC” was playful. Dung “bookworm” was always pensive with novels: Liet Hoa nhu ca, If still have tomorrow,… and books. I swear I could never read a complete novel. Ten days living with her without any improvement. Thao Miss was beautiful and knew a lot of tricks. She was always the center of attention showing off and creating tricks to make my room laugh. Truly a volunteer student. Wearing green shirts, we were loved by the people: we got discounts when buying goods, we even got water spinach, etc. The children were amazing. I loved them beyond words. The team's schedule for the first five days: Morning work, afternoon work, evening cultural exchange, playing with the children. Tired, but everyone was happy! This morning, Uncle Hanh also invited our team: sticky rice with peanuts. Eating sticky rice with peanuts made me feel warm, but I missed home, I missed the early winter mornings when my mother woke up to cook sticky rice for me to eat. Every day, breakfast was: instant noodles, instant noodles and... instant noodles. Everyone was excited to change the dish. Hello new day. The 10th day of volunteering.