It's amazing how prevalent history still is in this country. Posters of Che Guevara in every home and establishment. The war is still so prevalent, you don't always notice it, but the beliefs are still so strong. It is definitely strange seeing the hammer and sickle and being reminded where you are an where it all came from.
So far, I feel the best way to see a city or country is on bike or motorbike. There is a certain freedom of exploration that you feel, an exhilaration or force that compels you to go off the beaten track. Kathleen, Julia and I rode bicycles around Hoi An today. We got a little lost and ended up in a completely Vietnamese neighborhood, just watching and looking, seeing how they live. We came across a group of young boys playing a huge Congo-like drum, just hanging out together, having fun. It is so nice and refreshing to see innocent, outdoor, technology-free fun. No dependencies, no expectations. Simple smiles and friendships.
We rode along a river and met a wonderful older Australian couple who suggested a beach called An Dang. Secluded, lesser known beach with cream sand and turquoise water. Straw umbrella huts lined up to lounge under. Indescribable views and landscapes here, powerful and breathtaking. Our trip over to the beach took us through rice paddy fields with people working, things you only see in books and don't eleven is actually real until you nonchalantly ride by on a bicycle.
I think travel is mellowing me out. TW people I see and meet, the lifestyles I witness, life is too short to be worried or to spend time on meaningless options. It has been only about 5 days or a week and already I feel like I can take on anything. (knock on wood).
Another aspect of Vietnam I've fallen in love with is the people. Even when ordering our clothes the be made, the woman was laughing an joking- so conveniencing and helpful. Just a good person working for her living, brothers and sisters helping her out. Her saying for everything requested was a cheesy English line, "Easy peasy lemon squeezy." funny little things like that just rub off from one person to the next so easily, we'll be saying that for days now.
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