Living in Vietnam for eight months meant I pretty much turned Asian. Now back in a western culture, there's a few things I'm struggling to adjust to. Give me a couple of weeks and I'll be fine, but in the meantime, let me rant. I love a good list, so here's my top 9:
1. Resisting the 'OOOOO MAKWAR!' urge
My first trip to a supermarket was a really great but really shit experience. Seeing a whole aisle dedicated to gluten free treats, I genuinely couldn't believe it. Looking closer at the prices however, put me off the grocery experience altogether. I need to remember I cannot barter the prices down, nor will anyone understand if I say 'oooo that's a bit makwar' (Vietnamese for 'too expensive'). I paid $4 for a Snickers the other day. I was just so desperate for that nutty goodness.
2. Crossing roads
Walking out in front of bikes got too normal for me when walking to my local supermarket in Saigon. So when I got here and found you could get fined if the red man was flashing and you were crossing, I was a bit outraged. To be fair, it's obviously a safer road crossing system, but I have places to be.
3. The weather
I thought Australia was supposed to be warm? I genuinely thought the plane had taken a wrong turn and ended up in England. Gimme that Asian sunshine.
4. Taking I.D on a night out
I forgot this was actually a thing.
5. No one wears pyjamas out
I need to remember it's really not ok to go out to breakfast in my pyjamas.
6. No more manicures
Long gone are the days I can get manicures for a dollar. OH LIFE.
7. A phone like this not being acceptable
It's pretty normal for expats in Saigon to have a shite phone like this. This doesn't seem to apply to Australia though. A lot of people have laughed at it, but I'm proud to say I am the owner of this phone. Nokia 3410: a classic. I even accidentally left it on a wall the other day. Someone found it, called my contacts to let me know and I picked it up the next day. Too rubbish to steal. Perfect.
8. The language
I've said thank you in Vietnamese a few times now, resulting in some confused looks. I need to remember I'm not in Vietnam anymore, and actually in Australia. Though I've definitely met more northern people than I have Australians.
9. Laws
Seeing as Vietnam was very lawless at times, it's good to be back in a country where laws are, on the whole, followed. However, putting alcohol in a brown bag when you're outside. Why?
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