It
seems like a blink of an eye and we are in the last day
of our Vietnam trip. As of other trips, it’s a shame
to go straight back to work the next day but my leave is
limited. It’s been pretty eventful: the overnight
sleeper train to Lao Cai, the hiking trip in Sapa, crossing
the border to China, visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, quenching
my thirst with Bia Hoi and many more. Just to sum it all
up, it had certainly been 1 of the best trips so far.
We
walked around doing some last-minute sightseeing. Just plain
strolling and observing the city in the hot afternoon. My
mind was pretty blank. Not very sure we will ever have the
chance to visit Vietnam again. The feeling is pretty similar
with the mood felt on the last day of other trips. Irony
kicks in as we know that it may take a long time before
we can visit Vietnam again since there are PLENTY of unexplored
countries. Or worse case, can "long time" means
"forever"? Reality says can. No one knows. The
feeling of attachment is creating a storm in us again.
I
sat down at a Bia Hoi stall drinking godly froth while Bb (my ex)
went to shop. Facing the warm afternoon, watching the wheels
turning round and round, I see Farangs and Vietnamese men
drinking at different tables. A strange feeling came to
me. The Vietnamese think that I am a tourist, while the
tourists think that I am Vietnamese. So what identity shall
I assume? Is it important in the first place? I am all confused.
Such is the dilemma of an Asian traveller.
I took a sip of the Bia Hoi, my 8th and it had turned cool. I relaxed and thought about my life. Alcohol must have overcame me and tears came flowing down. What had I done? Where am I heading to? It was at that stark moment that I realised that I don’t have the answers. It’s pretty sad indeed.
Good
evening, Vietnam. |