i guess it can't always be sunny now can it? i'm in hoi an, vietnam at the moment... which is near the beach but it's been overcast and cold... so no beach time for me, unfortunately.
one thing i've learned on this trip...is that you most likely will run into the same people again so the whole..."who cares... when are you going to see these people again" theory doesn't apply. for instance... when i was in sihanoukville (i feel like i've told this story already bear with me again) cambodia at the vietnam consulate, a couple came in to also get their vietnam visa. didn't think much of it. was in kampot at a bar when the couple next to me asked..."did everything work out with your visa?". it was that couple. then when i was in saigon... i was taking pics on the rooftop... i turn around and they're waving at me. crazy. and then... was coming back from lunch in dalat and saw the couple standing outside my hostel. small, small world. luckily i like this couple. they're really cool. from the netherlands. :) but yeah, i've been running into the same people. i guess that's what happens.
oh dalat... i loved dalat but mostly i liked it because of the place that i stayed. i got there after a night bus at 7am or so...so tired. and was greeted by anni who was so nice and sweet. she gave me a hug and said that she could switch my bed so that i could have a bed immediately. yay. that's what i did. i so needed a nap. the hostel itself is their home. two girls and their mother live there and run the whole place. yes, it is a bit cramped, but it really did feel like family. each night mama and the girls prepared dinner and everyone staying could join. it was a big spread and only for $2. and not to mention beers were 50 cents each. big ones. it was a great way to get to know the other travelers. and this place seems to attract people who are just great. no douche bags. after dinner we would hang out and exchange stories. one night we went out for karaoke. it was absolutely insane. SO much fun. really just a great group of people from all over. all ages. i THINK i was the oldest but of course...i don't really feel that way. :) i have a young heart.
i was also in the mekong delta before which i enjoyed. i did it on my own and not part of a tour so i decided to stay in a homestay which wasn't so much a homestay. i had a private bungalow across the street but the family prepared breakfast lunch and dinner each day. it was yummy. the family was nice even though the only one who spoke english was the father. the mother of the father was really nice and was always offering me treats... watermelon, mango candy, etc. i liked her. the whole family was helpful and sweet. it's amazing how much you can communicate when you don't know the language.
tomorrow i go to hue... and then to phong nha ke bang national park to see the caves. i am excited about this because i haven't heard anything bad about it. i will be staying at pepperhouse homestay there which i am looking forward to. the reviews on tripadvisor seem to be good... authentic rural vietnam. and i know one girl who stayed there and loved it. suggestions are super critical when traveling. after that, probably up to hanoi and then halong bay then back to hanoi and....fly to.... somewhere. not sure where.
i can't believe it's been four months already.... four and a half months. sometimes it feels like it's been a while and sometimes i feel like i just started. in total i will be away for six months. woah! six months! i can see myself not staying in the states too long. the idea of teaching english somewhere is starting to get really appealing as is volunteering. i just don't think i want to go back to normal life. i've talked to some travelers who miss their homes and their "normal" life... but i don't feel that. at all. is that weird? should i miss boston? i don't really. oh well.
i'm just gonna keep on keeping on.... :)
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