Therapy?

Vietnam. The very mention of its name conjures images of oft-beaten, dusty roads, vast fields of paddy, mountain ranges and cascading hills, men in green army-esque hats and the shy women in straw hats, the ever passive yet polite society… in short, we know nothing much as the casual outside observer looking in, other than it is richly steeped in culture, and thrives on tourism… a country slowly finding its footing on the world map. Probably why we made the trip to the country, then.

Oh yes, the team. Led by the ourdoorsy sensibilities, experience and map know-how of team leader (in jest of course) Hon Cheng, who has been there prior; Ming Keong who had been tasked to write a 1000-word essay about this life-changing experience; and I, as-yet jobless graduate, the two clueless wannabes in want of a change of pace, climate, food and time zone. And maybe, possibly, probably find a place to commit crime anonymously and get away with it, or get away with something that is borderline illegal in Malaysia. Duck embryo, anyone?

Our 12 days have been harrowing, unflinching fun, and a definite eye-opener. If at first I wondered out loud what could another Southeast Asian country offer us that I haven’t already seen in my own country, the answer rang loud and clear: plenty. Horribly cliched to say as it is a feast for the senses, but I could not describe it otherwise. As every new day dawns at 5am as sure as it sets at 5pm, not a moment of daylight (or sometimes night) was wasted as we went forth exploring, every street corner and unlit area, kiasu as we are so as not to miss anything minutely interesting. I come back with a safe-ful of stories and memories, hopefully to be revisited here again and again.

Regardless of what you think of the Robin Williams movie, the Vietnamese are very proud of the catchphrase coined for it. And so I bid you, at the start of our 12 day gastronomic, polyphonic, economic adventure… GOOD MORNING VIETNAM!