Landing in Vietnam was like being transported into the future after Bhutan. Twenty-four hours a day we were surrounded by the hum of humanity. We had rented an apartment for a week to regroup, reflect on our time in Bhutan and get ready for our next adventure. I realize this year the importance of transition, making the time and space to reflect, regroup and prepare for the next dive into a new world. We have started to build these transitions into our plans, and they have been critical for our sanity. They are also this weird half world as you let a new place sink in and as you processing the old.
Isabelle said 'mom it is weird how in a city of 9 million it feels like there is nothing to do, but if I were in a small place in the woods it would be like there was too much to do.' Clearly, they have grown up in Alaska, but it was striking how much more isolating and intimidating this huge city felt compared to Bhutan, our small islands in Croatia and Noraway and home. But soon we learned the streets, corner shops and places to go. Slowly the city started to show itself, and we were able to change gears into a new culture, new pace, and a new world.
Living it up when we first got to town. It was great to be high in the city when we first arrived to have a sense of place in the town.
Looking over the hum of 9 million. Such a different world than Bhutan.
We got to town it was the night before Tet, the celebration fo the New Year. The fireworks display was impressive.
When we first landed we kept pointing out the scooter: trees, doors, fill sized TVs, whole families. The use of space on a scooter in this country is impressive. Soon we realized this was a very normal and don’t even notice any more, but the first week it kept surprising and delighting us.
We signed up for a food tour around town one night to learn all we could about the city and the food. Totally different world on the back of a scooter compared to dodging them!
No problem the three of us on one.
The first day of Tet we walked around town, everyone was out in their finest, taking selfies and celebrating the year of the pig.
After leaving the snow and cold of Bhutan, landing in Vietnam as spring started was burst of colors and sensations.
Colors, smells and street food around every corner.
Street food everywhere!
Famous Banh Mi sandwiches around every corner.
Seafood anyone?
If there was not enough colors with the food, there was always the flowers to add to the beauty.
More Tet fun.
Coconut drink anyone?
There is a world wide obsession happening with these dogs and the girls were elated to see the trend continued in Vietnam.
Breaking free of the heat.