Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Thousand-yard Stare

I realize that I might make it seem like traveling in Vietnam is delightful and easy. I want to clear that up- it's not.

If you like peace and quiet, cleanliness, things that smell good, things that work properly, being dry and comfortable, or getting your way more than 20% of the time, stay far away from here. This is a rough and unsophisticated country. People constantly try to bleed you of your money. Public transport is ridiculously slow and uncomfortable. No one ever does anything on time, if they do it at all.

I've gotten used to fighting for everything I want and practicing unlimited patience. My brain is totally rewired. When I look in the mirror, I notice the same hard, lean look I've seen in the local people. Sometimes I catch myself zoning out with that "thousand-yard stare" the marines talked about- just soon enough to jump out of the way of a pedal-cab.

It's all very rewarding though. I would never say it wasn't. Assuming I make it out...;)

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