The past eight months have been amazing, emotional, hilarious, challenging and a bit weird too. It has without any doubt been the best eight months of my life and I really can't believe that it was all the way back in January that I was that terrified girl at Heathrow airport flying to Asia and living abroad, both for the first time. I have definitely learnt a lot about who I am, what I can do and what I want to do in life (as cheesy as that all sounds).
I've learnt that I'm the worlds slowest motorbike driver, that wearing make up is severely overrated and that eating pork, egg and rice for breakfast isn't actually all that bad.
But on a more serious note, I've definitely learnt a lot more than just that. I've lived amongst the Vietnamese and learnt so much about a culture I knew nothing about. I've been so lucky to do this, as often backpacking and travelling in short periods of time, you can easily miss what a country is all about. Vietnam is a beautiful country with the most welcoming of people, and I'm going to miss it. A lot. Where else would open their shop at 2am in the rural countryside just so the drunk white girl could buy some vodka? Nowhere.
I've also learnt how easy and ok it is to start talking to random people! My confidence between this time last year and now is pretty different. I'd always considered myself a bit of a reserved person, and talking to strangers wouldn't really be something I'd do. Now, I feel it normal to start talking to anyone I meet! As my friend Lucy said in a previous post, the experiences in your life can often be determined by the people you meet. And I love that.
With travelling, teaching and living in SE Asia, I've made some life-long friends all over the world, and we've shared some pretty hilarious times. Sunday morning cave times at Heathers with Rach, that weird weird Owl weekend (I won't go into that) and Phoebe Jean walking down Bui Vien in a swimming hat and kimono.
With these beautiful people, they've also been there when times have been pretty shitty. Being mugged with a knife, hit by a taxi and sent to hospital all within the space of just over a week back in April, you could say, took it's toll. But having the most unreal and positive people around me, it wasn't long before I got back to my normal self.
Though, I've had a few 'I hate Vietnam' days, I'm going to miss it so much and I know 100% I will be back at some point in my life. Soooo, I thought I'd compile a few reasons on why I'll miss it so much. Here are my top 6:
1. Seeing weird things happen on a regular basis
Definitely my number one. Badminton courts in the middle of the road at 5.30am, chicken fights, fridge freezers/cows on motorbikes. You see a lot of weird shit in Vietnam, and it always brightened up my day.
2. How friendly the Vietnamese are
The Vietnamese are so friendly and welcoming, which was definitely needed when I was so nervous moving here. I needn't have been nervous. They're great.
3. Yoga
I found a new love for yoga when living in Saigon, at the most beautiful studio 'Yoga Living' in District 3. Getting a membership in Australia will no doubt be four times the price.
4. Bartering
It's going to be a struggle to not try barter down the prices in Australian supermarkets. I'll be walking out in the hope shop assistants will follow me and agree to a cheaper price. I need to realise that this won't be happening.
5. Poo talk being acceptable
Talking about poo problems to near enough strangers. If you don't get issues in Asia, then there's probably something not quite right. Though, speaking of poo, I'm definitely not going to miss how acceptable it is for dogs to take a shite in front of me when I'm trying to eat my pork, egg and rice for breakfast.
6. My beautiful friends
I love you Vietnam. It feels like we're splitting up, but it's just a temporary break. I'll be back soon. I promise. X
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