this is the end
WE DID IT.
So the new KOTO is open. Officially.
The Australian Ambassador did his duty and later, less formally, the KOTO graduates opened it too with a roof top cutting of the cake.
Like I said before, when we first moved in, it didn’t quite feel like home. But, at the opening, with it so full of people, it felt so vibrant and the smiles were everywhere. We’re growing into it.
Since my last visit to the restaurant there were so many new details that I hadn’t seen before. Each one seemed to strike a memory. In the formal dining area where they’ve started a gallery of past graduates. Among them is the wonderful Miss Hanh, now a major star at Le Pub and who looks after me so well on my frequent visits.
Alongside her was Miss Thu – with that open, warm, Vietnamese smile of hers. Last year we both appeared in a BBC news clip.
On the walls, alongside 1000 bricks were posters I had designed plus souvenirs from the bike ride.
Around me, all the kids were wearing the t-shirts created by my talented mate back in Newcastle.
Meanwhile among the guests were so many old friends. It was also, incredibly gratifying to see Mr Huy, my old marketing colleague playing a role in the unveiling. He was one of the original nine KOTO trainees. His dedication to KOTO goes way beyond us here today, gone tomorrow, foreigners.
Also there was Guyette who my mother and father sponsored through her training.
As ever it was good to see all the KOTO staff. Volunteer Clare (pictured with me and KOTO kids below) and Vietnamese colleague Tham, are the real stars of the new KOTO. They lived it for well over two years.
Every coat of paint, every piece of furniture, every electrical socket, every tile, every light fitting – they made it all happen. Two people who did an incredible, and an incredibly stressful, job.
The new KOTO is quite a place. We’re so close now to getting KOTO right and when it’s perfect then replication is next. There will be so many hundreds more young people that KOTO can help.
It has to succeed. It will succeed.
It has been a pleasure to be in Vietnam. It is a truly wonderful place. In all honesty I find it had to be objective about this country. I am too much in its grasp.
Being part of Hanoi felt so invigorating. What did I do to deserve something this good? How did I get so lucky?. It felt most strong in those early days – flying around Hanoi on the back of a motorbike with the biggest grin on my face.
This was me. Doing this. Living this life. Who would have thought it?
There is also one more happy slice of my life that has been conspicuous by its absence in this blog. I have met someone. Someone special. An environmental volunteer. She will be with me on my next adventure.
She is yet another example of how my life has gone so right here. I will shut up now because otherwise she will kill me, but life is good. Very good.
So, where are we going?
In March I fly out to Nicaragua. There, by a lake, in a beautiful city called Granada, is a street kid cooking school called Café Chavalos.
Guess what? They need a new restaurant.
It starts again. What could be more perfect? I'll see you at Our Man in Granada.
* The rest of the KOTO opening party pics here plus one more youtube movie here.
Hello, by chance, do you play soccer? if you don't mind to brief me on the tomorrow game between Vietnam and Thailand? Thank you much!!!
Posted by: Dan | January 23, 2007 at 12:38 PM
Well done! Best of luck with everything
Posted by: Matt | January 23, 2007 at 10:32 PM
Congrats Steve; you all have accomplished so much. I can't wait to eat at the new location when I visit!
Posted by: Preya | January 25, 2007 at 10:32 PM
The suspense is over! As a longtime reader, I've been waiting to find out what you'd do next. And as someone who found your blog because of an interest in VSO, I've often wondered (a) why VSO doesn't do much in Latin America and (b) why a program like KOTO wouldn't be great there, too. I'm still puzzling over item (a), but I'll look forward to reading all about your next adventure. Best of luck with all!
Posted by: Heather A. | January 26, 2007 at 01:39 PM
Go Steve! At least one of us amounted to more than hill of beans. Here's looking at you kid - in Grenada.
Posted by: Geoff | January 27, 2007 at 01:10 PM
Are you going straight out to Nicaragua? It sounds fantastic...I've followed your Hanoi adventures since (nearly) the start and it's been fascinating. I'm over the moon for you in everything you've done - and the looks on those kids' faces just says it all. Well done. I'm sure the Granada trip will be just as fulfilling. If you're back in the 'toon' before then I'd be honoured to buy you a pint, just give me a bell!! :-)
Posted by: minxlj | February 12, 2007 at 08:03 AM
well done - i salute you, sir!
Posted by: zed | March 04, 2007 at 02:00 PM
Great to hear that KOTO has started at their new location! Oh, I miss that place very much!
Mucha suerte en Nicaragua!
Ta,
Salvatore
Great Vietnamese Propaganda Art!:
www.cafepress.com/propart
Posted by: Salvatore | March 14, 2007 at 03:13 PM
Congratulations on KOTO Steve, you're a gift to this world!
Posted by: Joshua | April 09, 2007 at 02:37 PM
I think.. It's great...
Are you still in Vietnam.... I'm from Pekanbaru Indonesia, just want to know about vietnam...
Posted by: Hendsmaster On Indonesia | January 14, 2008 at 10:12 PM
what about some updates. I'm curious how KOTO is doing at the moment. however, I admire KOTO, the Ceo and the whole concept.
Posted by: Tuan | January 20, 2008 at 05:08 AM
good Travel blog
keep it up
Posted by: 365greetings.com | May 22, 2008 at 05:02 AM