How many times have I been to Vietnam?! I had to go back through my Photos library to figure out the count. A bit amazing that I have so much history on this side of the planet– and this is just Vietnam.
After counting trips, I realize this is my ninth visit to Vietnam:
April 2010 Yoga trip with Julia Tindell
April 2012 Solo
Nov. 2014 Solo
Nov. 2015 Solo
Nov. 2016 Beth
Oct. 2018 Solo
Feb. 2019 Solo
Oct. 2019 Beth
Feb. 2020 Solo
Each trip holds special memories of people I have met and things I have learned. The impact of experiencing (sometimes colliding with) radically different culture can’t help but make me look at my own world back in Dallas differently. I recently visited Palm Springs with family and friends and while the reunion in such a beautiful and natural setting was uplifting, restorative, and relaxing, the paradigm shifts I sometimes experience on this side of the planet feel by comparison deep and transformative.
OK, enough philosophical ramblings… this trip to Hoi An has has had its challenges. Mostly, my left rotator cuff surgery from three months ago is still proving to be a painful recovery process. As instructed by my physical therapist in Dallas, I keep pushing for more range of motion with my arm and the practice still leaves me in quite a bit of pain. I found the ice pack, bottle of scotch, and a few cigars I brought along have provided some relief.
Each day I’ve been bicycling somewhere. One day I rented a motor scooter for the first time but this experience proved about 90% terrifying and 10% fun. As the local driving technique is baffling to me, I pretty much traveled from the motor scooter rental shop to my hotel and back. After shopping at the LA Tailor (as seen back left in the photo below) I witnessed a traffic accident and when I saw an injured woman on the street, I decided my scooter renting days are probably over. I much prefer the bicycle.
I love the image of a vendor selling fresh shrimp and baby ducks. So I bought a dozen shrimp and two baby ducks for dinner. Yum! Salted baby duck and shrimp stir fried together with fresh garlic, sublime.
Here’s another bike riding video. Sorry, it’s a bit long and wobbly.
As always, my thanks and love to you who follow me on my travels.
-Gar
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