Feeling @ home

Ever meet a group of people and feel very much at ease? So much that you believe you've found "home"?

Location doesn't really matter. You can build a life anywhere. What's interesting is feeling you've found kinship (with the people, or maybe the environment) and calling that "home". The well-being of your state of mind is important, yes?

It's been a while since I've felt at home. San Francisco has not felt like home for a long time (years), because I often yearned to be in Asia travelling. As if I had left for Asia long before my physical being concluded to follow.

On July 7th, I went to Singapore for what was to be a few days stay but due to circumstances--coincidental, or otherwise--I stayed for what could easily have been months. (It was only two weeks, injected with a few days of Malaysia). I was lodging at the house of some friends of a friend. As it turned out, I felt at ease--at home--with these affectionately (self)labeled hippies. They've got their day jobs (designers, techies). By night, they twirl fire and play with drums (pictures to come). They're creative, artistic, easy-going people. Non-pretentious, and aware of their surrenderence to the rat race as a means to an end. I stayed in a flat nestled on a hill surrounded by trees (pictures to come). And, although I loathe the mosquitos that bit up my flesh leaving Orion and Big Dipper constellations all over my body, I felt like I was home, for the first time in years. I don't feel compelled to live in S'pore, but when I was at the flat with these [new friends] I didn't really want to leave. In all fairness, I should say one person in particular made it hard for me to depart the city-country of Singapore.

My good friend (partner in crime), Brian, on business visiting VN, was ultimately the reason that pulled me out of S'pore and washed me back into Saigon. Things happen for a reason. Maybe, I'm getting carried away with "holiday romance".

I need to figure out if S'pore, or Malaysia, is where I want to be (or, can be) for the next couple of years. I know I want to be in Asia. So far, amongst the Asian countries, Vietnam offers the best opportunities for me in terms of work. But, I suppose that could be a matter of perspective as well.

Onward with the journey…

No more bartending at the Heart Of Darkness; and, I’ve taken a leave-of-absence from work.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been contemplating whether to continue working or do what I came to VN to do: travel Asia and improve my Vietnamese. I’ve finally concluded that I have a big itch to travel; and, I best scratch it now before settling into a routine (i.e., permanent job, Vietnamese/martial arts classes, etc.). So, two days from today, I will fly to Singapore to visit my good friend, Cheryl. Big sis, Ngoc Lan, who owned Heart Of Darkness, will join me as she will visit her friend too. We plan to visit Malaysia and/or Bali when we grow tired of Singapore.

When we’re done with Sing./Mal./Bali, I will return to and travel within VN. I hope I don’t run out of money before then. :-P

Downtown Saigon

Here's a cathedral that is a replica of the Notre Dame cathedral:
HCMC Cathedral

Here's the city's main post office:
HCMC Post Office

The interior of the post office:
click here

My Bedroom

Here's my room:
room.mov (4.3M)

FYI:
One could stay at a hotel similar to my room for about $25/night.

Lack-luster

One of my dearest friends commented that I was brave to start anew in as I had moved to Vietnam. I don't know if it's bravery. Maybe, I just [gave up] on "making the most of the [previous] situation". Although, I must say that after living here in Asia for 2 months, my life before seems dull--lack-luster. Granted there were fun moments sprinkled here and there. But, day-to-day life seemed plain, processed, ordinary. The difference now is that I see, or experience, something each day that amuses me putting a grin on my face.

For example, two nights ago, I was riding on the back of my little sis' scooter on a busy street when a boy rides up next to us calling to get our attention. We looked over to see what he wants. He tips his head downward, gesturing us to redirect our line of sight. As if by reflex, we looked down and noticed he's holding a penis! Maybe his. Maybe a dildo. It did look very smooth like a silicone dildo. It all happened too quickly for me to be certain one way or the other. I was rather disgusted, wanting to bop him on the head with my shoe. Yet, I was also surprised at "the balls he had" to pull off such a stunt on a busy street of scootorists. Little sis and I just chuckled in the end. But, I think we should have chased him down to teach him a lesson. :-P

Day-dreaming...

people keep asking me and i continue to them: i really don't know when i will be coming back [to San Francisco/the States]. however, i do believe i will return at some point. i continually meet lots of people who are like-minded (ie, love to travel, not settling down in one place). such is the disease of most foreigners i meet here, it seems. :-}

as i do every friday night, i play bartender at a friend's bar. last night, i met a group of Singaporeans. they were all designers and artists on a long weekend vacation. within the group, one girl originally from New York used to live a couple blocks from me in San Francisco--small world. another girl said she's been backpacking in Thailand and is now making her way up Vietnam. oh, i would love to backpack through VN and the rest of Asia as well! (but, it's not too easy for me to leave my career for a span of time because, at the moment, i have a pretty decent setup). anyway, we exchanged stories and business cards. who knows, maybe i will join the backpacking gal. ;-}

days here are becoming cooler and more beautiful. sometimes i do think about leaving my 9am-5pm--albeit flexible--job.

anyway... :-}

Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc is an island west of Vietnam’s southern tip (see map; but, the words Ha Tien is covering the island.). The island is relatively untouched so there’s not much of towering hotels.
Phu Quoc beach

However, on the flipside, you have underdeveloped roads and not many pretty attractions to see. I did see a few resorts under construction. Give the island another 5 years and I think I might revisit. Really, riding an old taxi--usually an 80’s car, or van--over bumpy roads playing chicken with oncoming motorists on a one lane road loses its exhilaration after about 10 minutes (the amount of time it’ll take for you to become desensitized). After the half fear-half laughter wears off, you’re just stuck riding an uncomfortable car on a narrow strip of rocky road.

I’m told:
The island produces excellent pepper. Here’s a picture of my new auntie standing in a grove of pepper trees.
Pepper trees

Activities to try:

1) Hiking to see rivers and small waterfalls.
Small falls

2) Swimming. The water is warm, clear, and calm.
swimming

3) The island is also known for its delicious seafood. Squid fishing at night is relaxing.
Squid fishing at night

The boat crew will cook/grill what you catch. I felt bad for the squid. But, there’s not much else to do out in the ocean. So, I picked up a rod and spool.
Me squid fishing at night

The crew will feed you squid congee (rice porridge). And, it’s reeally good! Maybe, I was reeeeallly hungry.
Got congee!