A Peace of Home

Dear lovely reader,

Here we are, our fourth and last series blog of Viet Nam. Rather than writing about what I did for my last two days in Saigon in detail, I figured this blog would be perfect to just sum up all my thoughts about this port.

But before I do so, I have to splurge about how I got in the back of a motorbike and rode around District 8 of Saigon. Aside from speaking the language, that was the one time I felt what it was like to be a local. I know that sounds a little silly but if you ever get the chance to ride on those motorbikes, it is so much fun. Viet Nam locals are so care free and relaxed. They work hard, eat, talk, sleep, enjoy. Everything is so simple there, no strings attached. What made these last two days in Viet Nam so special to me was that it wasn’t about planning to go here and there. There was nothing in the head, everything was felt through the body and soul. It was so relaxing just to talk inside and munch on the juiciest fruits of my life, all away from the outside sun and heat. I didn’t feel like a tourist, I felt what it was like to be a local, to be at home.

Special and warm thank yous to Nhung, Lieng, Tieng, Tram, Cau Hai, Mo Hai, Angela, for being my biggest support in this port. I haven’t talked to Mom in so long since Hawaii. But they had connected me to talk to her for a bit in Vung Tau which made my heart soar and eyes tear up. Mo Hai bought me a whole box of ramen because I made a comment on not having ramen for a while and wanting to desperately eat that on the ship. Nhung took me to visit Mom’s old house, right above this restaurant. I couldn’t go inside. But just the fact of being on the street where she used to live, felt incredible. Nhung and Tram saved my butt by buying a very hard to get Banh Trang bowl for Mom because I know that’s what she really wanted from Viet Nam. Because she usually doesn’t ask for much, I wanted to do at least this one thing for her. And my cousins had made it happen. They made everything happen in Viet Nam, and I’ll be forever thankful.

This was by far my most emotional port experience so far on Semester at Sea. For the first time since I boarded the MV Explorer, I came back home. And I wasn’t expecting to come back home so soon. I wasn’t expecting to see family. My time in Viet Nam was like getting glasses for the first time. I now have a clearer perspective on where my parents came from, what their lives were like. I couldn’t help contemplating what my life would be like if my parents never fled after the war.

There is a very special place in my heart for my family. Sometimes I feel like such a marshmallow when I think about them. It doesn’t matter if you’ve seen them for a day or for your whole life, family is family. They help you, care for you, and love you no matter the circumstances. I couldn’t see that growing up in America. When I was a teenager, I was so driven to be the best I could be in American schooling. When I came home from school, I studied. If I wasn’t studying, I was with friends or at the tennis courts. And when you’re finally at peace with all you’ve done, you turn around, and realize that family has never left your side. Although we sometimes lose the people we love, they never really leave us. They live forever in our blood and in our hearts. I know if I truly believe in this, that belief will keep me warm throughout this entire voyage.





Thank you for reading lovely reader. Next stop is Singapore, Singapore!

All love and hope,
Kimmy

“Travel is the only thing you spend money on that makes you richer.”              –Unknown



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