Traveling from the United States to Vietnam was no easy feat. Serving as my first international flight experience, the two-day commute with multiple layovers truly tested my resilience and patience. But all of this stress was relieved the second I landed in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital. I had finally made it to the destination I had been dreaming about since last August! Meeting my fellow peers and instructors provided a great sense of unity and familiarity in such an unknown environment. Now that I am approaching the halfway point of my excursion, I have discovered both the good and not so good realities of traveling for a long period of time.
Vietnam is a country that is more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. From the bustling markets of Hanoi, to the expansive mountain valleys of Sa Pa, I have already fallen in love with the plentiful scenery of the region. I have enjoyed immersing myself in the culture and way of life here, complete with communicating with residents and exploring new sights and sounds of the cities. So far, one of my most memorable moments of the trip has been a homestay with a local family. After hours of trekking through mountainous terrain and muddy rice terraces, my group and I were graciously accepted into the home of our tour guide and her family. Helping with the dinner preparations and cleaning, playing with her two children, and soaking up the breathtaking view made the arduous journey worth every minute.
However, traveling internationally can also be challenging. Getting accustomed to the 12-hour time difference was no easy task, and the general tiredness from daily activities and adventures has not alleviated so far. Yet, I would not change a single thing about my time in Vietnam. I look forward to making more memories here and seeing all that I can before the journey ends!
