WELCOME TO 2-2-2 TUESDAY
Here are 2 Cultural Highlights, 2 Quotes, and 2 Short Stories for you to enjoy.
Inspired by Saigon, Vietnam
2 CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
Shock Your System in Saigon, Vietnam:
Imagine you recently booked an international trip to a completely foreign land.
Here’s your flight itinerary:
Departure: London (England)
Destination: Ho Chi Minh (South Vietnam)
Upon arriving in Vietnam, you find it intriguing to observe a forty-degree temperature shift from London, along with a seven-hour time difference.
“This is quite extreme,” you confidently muse.
However, while you’re perspiring outside the airport terminal, some unsettling thoughts begin to emerge in your mind.
As a mosquito buzzes by, it reminds you that Dengue Fever is endemic in this region.
Dengue Fever – a virus transmitted by mosquitoes.
Naturally, your mind starts listing the signs and symptoms of Dengue Fever.
“Milder” symptoms include high fever, rash, severe headache, muscle and joint pain.
More severe, albeit rarer forms of the disease—dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome—can lead to severe bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure (shock), and even death (very rare, but possible).
You try not to panic about not having had the chance to purchase repellent yet. Then the mosquito makes a second pass.
As you attempt to clear your throat and suppress these concerns, you realize your mouth is parched.
I need some water, you think to yourself.
Right on cue, your brain reminds you of the concerning fact that tap water isn’t safe to drink. In other words, you won’t find any convenient drinking fountains.
More thoughts arise: This is rather uncomfortable. Why did I choose to come here? There are countless other destinations without these issues.
At this point, you chuckle at the Negative Nancy in your mind who points out all potential mishaps.
This is an excellent example of culture shock – the disorienting feeling when you are suddenly exposed to an unfamiliar culture or way of life.
You begin to focus on managing the controllable. You successfully locate bottled water and mosquito repellent. Ahhh, relief! Now, you’re settling in. An hour later, you find yourself savoring cold, refreshing coconut milk. Suddenly, you’re on cloud nine as you explore outdoor markets. You feel more alive than you have in quite some time as you survey a wide range of traditional clothing, crafts, foods, and trinkets. After only a few hours, you meet the warmest and most welcoming host family you’ll be staying with for the next few days. Just like that, you feel at home.
As you lay in bed that night, you reflect: This is precisely why I came here. It’s unlike everything I know back at home. It’s uncomfortable. It’s real. It offers perspective. It helps me appreciate life on a deeper level.
Here’s the case for traveling beyond your comfort zone. The distance from home doesn’t need to be great, but the experience should be challenging. Go for it. Bon Voyage!
2.
Near Death Experience:
Now imagine you’re standing on the edge of a busy street in Saigon, Vietnam, which is home to a whopping 9 million residents. You need to get to the other side of the road. However, as you feel the breeze from nonstop waves of motobikes and cars whizzing by, you wonder how in the world you will cross.
At first glance, crossing the street looks riskier than jumping out of an airplane without a parachute.
Impossible is the only word that comes to mind as you face of onrushing motorbikes, weaving Tuk Tuks, and colossal buses, in a relentless battle for a mere inch of space on the unforgiving asphalt expanse.
As you continue standing for several minutes, you come to the realization that the vehicles will not stop for pedestrians. Then, to your surprise, you witness a local young man easily walk across the busy traffic. “That guy is crazy!, “you think. Your judgment about the man is debunked as you watch an elderly woman with a cane cross the same busy road without difficulty or stress.
As you observe a few more local pedestrians, you crack the code to a successful crossing. What’s the secret? Step 1: Make yourself visible. Establish yourself. Step 2: Walk confidently across the street at a steady pace and watch the traffic miraculously move around you. As long as they can anticipate your movement, you’ll be completely fine. On your first attempt, you’re nervous, but you arrive to the other side unscathed.
After a couple of days, you find that walking into traffic can become as comfortable as riding a bicycle. It’s strange, but true.
Disclaimer: Don’t try this in your hometown.
2 QUOTES TO CONSIDER
1.
“Make yourself a big target for luck, and the way to do that is to be curious. Try lots of things, meet lots of people, read lots of books, ask lots of questions.” – Paul Graham
2.
“Believe it or not, it is not only possible to accomplish more by doing less, it is mandatory.” – Tim Ferriss
2 SHORT STORIES
1.
The Young Man With Many Masks:
As we prepared to bid farewell to Saigon, my wife and I hopped on an early morning bus. The journey required passengers to wear masks, a requirement we hadn’t anticipated.
To our good fortune, a very kind young man seated next to us pulled out a small bag of simple black masks. reached into his bag and retrieved a handful of simple, black masks. Without hesitation, he handed me two of his last three masks.
As I fumbled to offer payment, he gently raised his hand and, speaking in a soft voice, insisted, ‘Take these. No charge.”
His act of kindness stayed with us, a poignant reflection of the countless heartwarming encounters we cherished during our Vietnam adventure.
Looking back on our experience in Vietnam as a whole, this man’s kindness mirrors countless feel-good interactions we enjoyed during the course of our visit.
Needless to say, we’d highly recommend paying a visit to Vietnam.
2.
Why You Should Choose Homestays Over Hotels:
A special shout-out goes out to Yun and Fu for going the extra mile as our gracious hosts in Saigon, Vietnam.
At a mere $16 per night, they lavished us with delectable local cuisine and offered a cozy, air-conditioned bedroom.During our meals, trying to reach the bottom of the rice bowl or finishing a beverage was a futile endeavor. Why, you ask? Their attentiveness was unparalleled as they promptly refilled our plates and glasses. They shared a variety of fruits we had never seen, and allowed us to participate in making spring rolls for one of our meals. In our attempts to rush to the sink for dishwashing at meal’s end, they sprang into action, insisting we refrain. We, of course, respected their wishes.
Throughout our stay, we uncovered the heartwarming fact that four generations resided in the apartment, and we had the privilege of meeting each one. We also learned that Fu was going out to work each night, and then cleaning the house and completing laundry during the day. They included laundry as part of the homestay without additional charge.
In an unforeseen twist of fate, Farah developed laryngitis and a cough during our visit. Falling ill while traveling can be quite disheartening, but luckily, Yun quickly recognized her discomfort and sprang into action to expedite her recovery. She skillfully prepared ginger tea and provided local remedies daily, refusing any additional compensation.
Each morning, they spent time giving us the inside scoop on unique local activities. They truly treated us like family. When we gave them a small tip at the end, Yun bowed low, and was extremely appreciative.
This experience really made us ponder hospitality, generosity, and respect. They’ve set the bar so high they’d need a telescope to see it.
As a side note, we strongly recommended homestays while traveling abroad, because you put money directly into the pockets of the locals. Unfortunately, we’ve learned that hotel chains are often owned by outside foreigners who don’t contribute to the local economy.
If your travels ever lead you to Ho Chi Minh, we enthusiastically endorse Yun and Fu’s “Saigonhouse” homestay for those seeking a truly immersive cultural experience. Thank you, Yun and Fu, for an unforgettable journey!
Thanks for tuning in to 2-2-2 Tuesday! If you have any feedback, comments, or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you. Have a wonderful week.
Zack and Farah
