The Alexis Angle – Vietnam

Vietnam!! This place is great – the people, the food, the sites, it’s pretty awesome. When we first got here, I was certain this was the place for me. I would move here as soon as I got out of college and live in one of the beautiful houses that we see all the time. But now that I think about it, although I do love many things here, I appreciate the freedoms that other countries have, like the freedom of speech. Here are some things in Vietnam that really stood out to me.

Motorbikes

This is by far my favorite memory of here. Zipping down a street on a motorcycle is something that no other form of transportation can compare to!! And although I would love to ride one again, I got a clear understanding of the risks when we drove past a motorbike wreck. A motorbike was halfway under a giant semi-truck and I can’t imagine what the rider looked like.

Dyeing My Hair

For a very long time, I have wanted to dye my hair. My neighbor and I used to walk to school together every morning and talk about the different colors and techniques we wanted for our hair. I was so excited when I finally got to dye it! From what I read, the hair dye should have lasted about 1 month at least, but it’s been just over 1 week and my hair is completely back to blonde again. I’m going to sue.

Artisan

Artisan is a little bakery right down below our apartment. It is basically the Lawson of Vietnam for us. My absolute favorite sandwich in the world comes from there and whenever Mom and Dad ask what we want for lunch we always yell out “Artisan!” I think the ladies who work there definitely know us by now. How do I know that? It’s the same two ladies bagging our food every time. I’d be embarrassed, but gap year kind of destroyed any social anxiety I have.

The Houses

Every morning and night I love to look out my window at all of the houses spread out below us. Each is a different size, a different color and they all have a different design on them. In the morning, it’s such a beautiful sight and at night, when they are all lit up and the giant buildings in the back are lit up too . . . wow.

The Food Stands

Have you ever seen little plastic tables and chairs that kids usually sit on? Well that is what people here usually eat at when they eat outside. I don’t know how they can stand sitting on such a tiny chair, long legs must not be a problem here, but it’s pretty cool to see. That is something that no other place that we’ve been to has had. It’s just a part of their culture I guess.

Overall, Vietnam might have been my favorite place (it’s running for first place with Japan), but I’m also very excited to see Thailand and celebrate my birthday there!!