Wow...it has been a spell since i have blogged. but a trip to vietnam for a couple of weeks, a move to another apartment, a beginning of a new school year, a lack of internet connection, a wonderful wedding, and plain ole laziness can cause a month long sabbatical from blogging. so for those two or three people that do read my blog.....i'm back!
first entry: vietnam was amazing. i guess everywhere i travel, i tend to say its amazing. i have never really been to place where i have never been before that was not interesting nor intriguing. besides, if i am going to spend that much money, i tend to make the best of it.
however, this travel was quite unique. leyla and i went with one of my friend, tri and his mother. tri is of vietnamese descent born in the usa but has never been to vietnam. of course, the mom, who is incredibly tireless and excited to experience this moment with son, made sure we had a great time. his experience of making that connection with his parent's family and the past was poignant.
third world countries are exciting to travel to because they offer something different from the comforts we tend to take for granted at home. one can really see that life is incredibly more unique and different and hard and simple in third world countries. i guess that's why i tend to like to travel to these countries. it is a challenge!
the black boogers coming out of your nose, the mass of scooters, cars, busses, trucks from all direction all converging into one intersection at the same time...yet every single one happens to avoid an accident and move on to its merry way. imagine critical mass of bicycles in a friday in san francisco, but traffic in a third world country makes "critical mass" look like a stroll in a quiet street because this occurs everyday, at every hour, at every intersection! where are all these people going? the horns are a nuisance, and the smog is intolerable. crossing the street was "frogger" like and the heat was unbearable.
but i revel in all these challenges that travel offers. it makes me grounded and humble. i like to throw the comfort of life out just so i don't take things for granted at home. however, i have to admit that this trip was quite different. we actually stayed in 3star to 5 star hotels. we lavished in some of the more posh hotels and resorts of saigon, hanoi, and nah tran. we had our own bus, boat, entourage even! but having locals show you around sure made it more amazing. we went to places where most tourists may not have gone. we ate at restaurants that only locals frequent. details later.........
