I am woman, 2023

As it is international women's day today, putting this note here to remind myself that...

I am capable

I am confident

I am creative

most of all I am courageous.

💜💜

Photos by Captain Awesome

Birthday adventure

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails." - Mark Twain

"If not now, then when?"

These quotes are in my head almost all the time, it reminds me to seize my youth. 

(Maybe on a flip side, it is not too good as it makes me pretty aggressive with my goals - I want to travel, I want to do this that etc. I get so anxious when I feel that I am being confined and not doing enough with my life. Always feeling the need to be on the move or doing something. Well, I'll learn along the way as I go through life) 

I decided to visit Ho Chi Minh for a very short 3 days 3 nights.

2 big questions that a lot of friends asked:

(i) Are you going alone? Why?

(ii) Don't you feel it is too short, might as well not go then?

I'd like to share some thoughts on these. A lot of us think that going alone is lonely, but nooo. In my opinion, travelling alone gives a good space for introspection, and it allows us to decide what we truly want to do - we have the full control of our time. Also, there will be more chances to meet new friends, speak to the locals and be adventurous. Maybe, safety might be a concern but there are definitely ways to work around that. (ps: I was not alone ok hehe since I visited my friends in HCM)

Yes, but what about if the available time you have is short. Would you wait a few more months for the right time to come? Then I will ask myself, till when will you wait? Maybe this is a trait of a young lady - wild, free and she just wants to enjoy the freedom she has.

______

HCM is a city for the young - everyone moves around with motorcycles, quick, sometimes reckless but safe. Everything feels so fast here, perhaps it's the effect of motors - crossing the road is also an adventure. Most of their buildings have many levels where one has to climb stairs - I wonder how the old do it over there. The meals there are pork-based and noodle-based. However, there are many vegetarian options available too.

During my stay, I was very lucky to stay with a good friend who is from HCM, so I got to experience the life of a local. Throughout the 3 days, I was always on her motorbike - rain or shine :) The roads to their houses are soooo narrow as well, it is impossible to own a car because there is no place for you to park the car.

Will let the pictures do the talking!

Motorcycles in the parking instead of cars

Bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls)

Good morning Saigon! Notice how the houses have at least 3 stories.
Also, houses have a corner that has no ceilings in between floors;
this allows families to talk with one another even they are on different floors!

Bún bò Huế: Rice vermicelli and beef - homemade

The narrow street between houses

Thank you AIESEC for these friends hehe.
Also thank you for going with me through the most difficult tunnel which no Vietnamese normally completes haha

Signature Củ Chi Tunnel pose
(altho I had a hard time getting out of this tunnel)

The narrow and dark tunnel

Bún thịt nướng: Cold rice vermicelli with grilled pork, fresh vege & fish sauce
(I love this so much! 5 stars)

Bánh tráng trộn: Rice paper salad

The best restaurants don't have to look the best or cost the most.
HCM is a really a good place where you can enjoy quality with cheap money.

This is an old apartment which they turned into a building of cafes.

The Café Apartment

Partea: some fancy tea place, you get to choose your own tea cups

Bò lá lốt: Beef wrapped in betel leaf (left)

Bánh xèo: Sizzling pancake

A simple place by the roadside for supper

I could not understand a single thing during mass!
Haha should go to the Notre Dame instead, they have English mass there :)

Church choir dressed in Áo dài 

Post office! I'm now tanned after this picture haha jk

Reading is a culture in VN.
Their book advertisement are made with thought like this :)

Book street, nearby Notre Dame Cathedral

Trying the smelly food of Vietnam:
Bun Dau Mam Tom
(bad smell is due to the shrimp paste dip)

Horse Chess - I play this game so badly because it requires so much luck

On my last night, round 1: shellfish 

Round 2 was at the riverside with this view *love*

As I was watching the nightview, suddenly heard this girls shout and tadaaa
they surprised me with a cake and sparklers. Sooo thougtful and sweet

Round 3 at a local karaoke

Virtual reunion!!!

Xôi: Sticky rice

They sell yummy Bánh mì here, too good that I forgot to snap 

:)

Vietnamese cold dessert:
pretty similar to Malaysian Ice Kacang & Philippines' Halo Halo

Thank you family, for having me and the warm hospitality

Till we meet again!

Upon reaching home, I felt really tired but fulfilled from a memorable and precious weekend. Super thankful, that I get to experience such warm Vietnamese hospitality - super well taken care of and my itinerary was sooo filled and enriching. Thank you for bringing me to where the locals go, for making sure I make the most out of my time in VN, even skipping class and taking leave to spend time with me...

I am eternally grateful and allow me to return the favour someday!

x,

Kish