I have left and am leaving

I write this from a Bangkok internet cafe, 4 days after leaving Vietnam for the first time in nine months. In leaving I have experienced (in no particular order):

attempted theft
excitement
tears
smiles
a deeper understanding of Vietnam and my connection to it
the darker side of nighttime Bangkok
the slick scene of nighttime Bangkok
police station corruption
crazy drivers
delicious food

...and everything in between.

As you read this I will most probably be on an airplane heading to New York City where I'll blog each event for you, one by one.

For those of you I've left behind, I love you and will see you soon.

For those of you I'm coming to see, I love you and will see you sooner.

Au revoir and Bon Voyage Alison!

APU Students

Fifty Vietnamese students are flying to Seattle in the next week to start a new life. None of them, barring 2 or 3 students, have ever traveled abroad and they are now leaving their family, home and country for four years. Many of them have asked me what to prepare before they leave.

"Warm clothes..." (obviously)
"Photo's of your family..." (kinda goes without saying)
"A camera?" (Uh, duh!!)

But it's become very clear that these aren't the items that we need to inform them of. It's basic things like how big carry on luggage should be, whether it's OK to take medicine into the country, how they'll be able to buy food, where they'll be able to live etc. etc. that is really plaguing them.

Traveling is such a natural part of my life that I no longer think about what to pack or what to do. I'm jealous of and nervous for all those boys who really don't know what they're about to enter into. Most of them have worked on airplanes for many years but few know the feeling of surging into the skies. They've all watched American movies and spoken to U.S citizens but none of them have ever seen an American street, eaten American food, looked at American people. I can not imagine the apprehension and nerves that must accompany their trip. My heart will fly to Seattle tomorrow. I miss them a lot already. They've been such an integral, wonderful part of my time in Saigon and APU is feeling deserted and empty without their crazy smiles and energy.

Bon Voyage Guys and keep in touch!! Here are a few photo's of your time at APU... Chao!

Mui Ne

And we're heading back. Back to the long white beach, the beating sun and the G & T's in the swimming pool. Our herd of eight will be a lot smaller this time as only three of us head up to small coastal town five hours from Saigon. I can't wait to chill in the bungalows, the lounge chairs, the sunscreened mornings. Mui Ne has become one of my favorite places in the world. It's a slice of paradise adorned with relaxation, delicious food, beautiful landscapes and sun, sun, sun. Off to Mui Ne we go...!!