5-week Southeast Asia solo trip reflections part 3
Second stop, second city: Hà Nội, Việt Nam
Thursday, April 17, 2025
I apply the things I learn in life to my travels and vice versa but two core ideas include:
1) Adapt to situations and people to accomplish a goal or resolve an issue: I can't control anything but I can prepare
for wants, needs, and contingencies. Once ready to execute, I switch gears to action mode with intent and purpose.
Create the itinerary but once there, be there. Maintain balance between planning and doing but above all, be present.
2) I am me even at a different geographical location: Of course I need to show respect to other countries' cultures,
laws, and people, but one thing remains the same across continents–we are one. Our feelings are the same even if we have
difference circumstances and viewpoints. We all experience joy, pain, anger, and suffering. It's also why smiling is a
universal understood facial expression.
In application of these ideas to travel, I adapt to the country but also my itinerary. I enjoy things better when I'm
not off trying to optimize my time because of fear of sunk cost and bringing value to the money spent. If I get on the
wrong train then I'll get off at the next stop and reroute. There's no need to panic, get anxious, or feel angst because
things weren't "done correctly". With the technology we have now, it's not hard to travel anywhere, and if all else
fails, there's always the people who will graciously help if asked.
Following the country's law and customs does not equate to a character change, it means being a respectful visitor.
Thousands of people travel daily with various resources so what's the important aspect of it when it's overly done (e.g.
Japan)? The human interaction: listening, giving respect, not making decisions based off of desires or for
acknowledgment. These actions may be subtle to read but they are always exposed when done–I'd be remiss if I don't focus
on the experience rather than attempting to gain optimization in every action and relationship.