Random thoughts + holiday = Good thinking.

October 5, 2014. It is 7.00pm, Saturday night in Hanoi. I am on my way, amongst the usual insanity, to go see friends from the teaching school. Sadly, Michael is sick.

At night Hanoi takes on another feeling. It is a different kind of crazy with a little Las Vegas, a smattering of Mad Max with a whip cream topping of retro asiana.

Perhaps, a sprinkle of glitz. It has been almost two months and I ask myself..."Mark, what have you learned so far?"….

…Well, my fear of crossing the road is almost gone.

…Most of the simplest tasks like finding groceries is not so daunting and arduous.

…Try your best to find a different perspective, a positive perspective on frustrations.

…The Vietnamese are inherently very kind and generous.

…I am spoiled and struggling with how much comfort I need to be happy.

…I need more patience and understanding.

I am getting better at accepting that I will always stand out as an oddity, yet there MUST be a way to fit in, to contribute, create a space for myself. No answers yet.

October 6, 2014. It is the day before our glorious holiday. There is a bit of anxiousness to start looking for a teaching job, but must stick to my instinct to clear my mind and take a break before jumping into that reality. Tomorrow morning we will take a short flight to Danang, a smaller city on the coast, halfway down the country. We will stay for three days, seeing what it has to offer and take a break at the beach.

The main portion of the holiday will be spent at a small town called Hoi An(which messes with your mind due to it being a scrambled Ha Noi). Hoi An is a small historical town blessed with UNESCO’s world heritage stamp. Everyone has said it is ‘amazing’. You get charm, incredible place to have custom clothes/shoes made and some of the best beaches as a bonus. We will indulge for a week there.

After Hoi An we will return to Ha Noi for one day to then take a boat tour for three days/two nights to the phenomenal Halong Bay.

The purpose of this two weeks is indeed for rest. The future will write itself…hopefully.