5 things we learnt about ourselves from travelling in Vietnam for a month
Descending into the Commanding Quarters of the Cu Chi Tunnels
Our excursion across Vietnam is over. We are back in Bondi, and I tell you what, we couldn’t be happier. There is nothing like the comfort of your own bed, home cooked meals and the knowledge that toilet paper can indeed go down the toilet.
In the space of 4 weeks we travelled the whole of the country, making countless memories, seeing and learning things about the country, it’s history and it’s people that we will truly never forget. And not too far removed from this, we also learnt a lot about ourselves during this trip.
We Love Working
Cyan and I are both the type of people that thrive when we have somewhat of a structure and we find it quite hard to switch off. In a way, this trip was the perfect representation of that. Why spend any time relaxing when you can try and travel an entire country in a month whilst still working. But, that was part of the enjoyment, seeing if we could combine two things we love and still, well, enjoy them. We both love working with our individual clients as well as working to get 20 Minute Strength out to the masses. What made it that much more exciting is that we are launching or first product business with Strong Bands. While we were out there we received our first prototype, got our design approved and registered and planned the Kickstarter and surrounding social media hype for the launch. Getting to work together to try and create something special that we truly believe will help people is something we love doing so it made sense that work remained such a source of enjoyment throughout our trip. Maybe we’ll have a more relaxing holiday one day…
The everyday charm
2. We can adapt
Working as we travelled naturally required a lot of adapting. Making sure we travelled through the night or at least got in early enough to check into our next Airbnb before our meetings was a common occurrence. But, I was surprised (more so at myself) at how willing and able we were to be flexible with our time, weigh-up options and be okay with not getting to do absolutely everything there was to do in Vietnam because of our work commitments. We both love a bit of structure and routine, so the fact that we took all the mental gymnastics of time zone changes and lining up new locations with upcoming work was a welcome learning. This kind of combines these first two points as one of the things we love most is sitting in a cafe and working on our various projects and dreams, so the thought of travelling at unsuitable hours or missing out on the odd Pagoda to do work, actually put a smile on our faces.
3. We enjoy cooking most of our own meals
A Saturday night Sushi from Meow Sushi in Bondi is a must. However, for the whole month we were in Vietnam, we did not cook one meal for ourselves. Sounds dreamy right!? It was fun and novel (and cheap) at the start. Then you reach a point of longing for the simple meals you make at home. Dreams about Porridge became more and more frequent and I supplemented local delicacies with more Western Smoothie Bowls, Burgers and packs of M&Ms.
The food out there was fantastic, but we all have our preferential defaults when it comes to food. Not only that but part of what I love about the routine I have at home is that I am eating nutritious food that makes me feel good and I know is making me a healthy individual, we have access to this food as and when we want it and it supports me in doing the things I love, like being active and getting the brain juices flowing for whatever hair-brained idea we have next.
So whilst I know that soon enough I will be craving the Cao Lao we had in Hoi An, I know that deep down, I am a smoothie bowl eating, porridge making, eggs on toast consuming man at heart.
Sunset is in perfect focus at least
4. 30 Degrees is our cut-off point
This goes without saying surely? How does anyone operate in 35 degrees!? Not to mention the humidity. In a city where everything and everyone is constantly moving, Ho Chi Minh and its residents defy belief by carrying on as if someone has got an industrial-sized AC unit permanently pointed up the back of their shirt.
We had what felt like freezing cold temperatures in Sa Pa, temperate conditions in Cao Bang and optimal temperatures, but a mugginess brought on by the constant overcast in Hanoi. After all this we have concluded that 23-25 degrees is fantastic, above 25 is manageable and 30 degrees is most definitely our cut-off point.
5. We don’t want to stop learning
This is particularly the case when seeing other cultures in action. I’m fascinated by how and why cultural and societal norms come to be and so learning about Vietnam’s history in more depth and connecting the dots with the typical Vietnamese work ethic, ways of treating their family, friends and tourists, ways of living, serving and eating food and how/why they celebrate events of the past was as enjoyable to see as the natural beauty that the country holds.
One thing that was truly inspiring to learn and something we both want to carry forward is how people just seem to care less about what others think. The best example is people swivelling their hips and swinging their arms around in the name of health and exercise. But also seeing people taking risks and investing their money into a food stall, restaurant or Airbnb all with branded accessories to add that special touch, or even the guy who set up his hammock in the open luggage hold of his coach and took a nap while the party was off down the Cu Chi tunnels. I’m tired after a long drive, it’s hot, I’m going to sleep in my hammock and I don’t care who sees. I think I would stay awake out of sheer fear that someone would see me and accuse me of being lazy!
Granted there are more layers to all of this than the romantic idea that the whole of Vietnam has this laissez-faire attitude to life but, it’s something that Cyan and I would like to carry forward. Give less shits about what we perceive others to think. Film that cringe-worthy Instagram reel, move and exercise how you want to not because you think that’s what you should be doing and take risks in following through with dreams and ambitions like no one is there to judge.
Back to Bondi
Right, that’s probably enough about Vietnam, isn’t it? Back to how to get as strong as an Ox in the next one x
