So, I got back to Jersey a couple of weeks ago, and it feels (almost) as if I never left. After a long 30+ hour journey back across the globe, I finally got to enjoy a REAL Italian sub and some good old NY pizza. Although nothing will ever compare to the fifty-cent "bun my" sandwiches available on every Vietnamese street corner. Or the mango salad with dried beef. Or the "bun bo hue" soup. Or the stuffed squid. Ugh... the list goes on forever...
The number one question I've been asked since my return has been, "How was Vietnam!?" ...Such a hard question to answer! In just a few sentences, how do I get somebody to understand how insane my life in Vietnam was? And I have to assume that most people have similar preconceptions about 'Nam as I did: a hectic place with lots of thick jungle and big pointy leaves.
But, to answer the question, Vietnam was amazing. Looking back, it's chilling to remember I went to that country alone! In a period of one month, I decided to go, bought a plane ticket, signed up for a teaching course, got some shots from the doctor, and left! And I think it was the best decision I've ever made. As detrimental as it was to my bank account, it changed my view of the world... and of life. I don't mean to sound cheesy, but as much of a culture shock as it was when I landed in Saigon, it was a quite a bit sobering when I arrived back in Newark. Sure, Vietnam is definitely a little hectic, unorganized, hot, humid, and a bit smelly at times for the Western pallet. But that might just be because here in the US, everything is so easy and straight forward! I really took for granted all of what our country has to offer: paved highways without potholes, police that enforce more than civil peace, insurance policies, medical coverage, retirement funds, unemployment benefits, a justice system that compensates you if you're wronged by someone else, or if McDonald's gives you coffee that's too hot!!
I think the biggest difference between the two cultures, actually, is our concept of money. Here, hardly anyone pays cash for something over 30 bucks. We don't use cash, we use credit cards. We have mortgages, we finance cars, we take out student loans. In Vietnam they pay their electric bill in cash! They get on their motorbike and drive to the utility company's office, stand in line with the bill receipt that was dropped off at their house, and they pay for it in cash. They even pay for their vehicle in cash. They pay school tuition in cash. They usually even pay for a house in cash! In fact, I was told once that loans and credit cards are almost unheard of except for the wealthy class. No debt- and look how happy they all are! Walking down the street in Saigon, you're greeted with a smile on every street corner. You don't get that in NYC!
I'm not saying one culture is better than the other, or that one is right and one is wrong. We're so completely different. The point I'm trying to make is that I feel lucky to have experienced a way of life that is so opposite to my own, and that I otherwise would have never even imagined existed. I just can't wait to go back in ten years to see how much it's changed!
And, of course, if you ask me "How was Vietnam?" there's also at least a handful of crazy stories I can tell you too. But you'll have to ask.
The number one question I've been asked since my return has been, "How was Vietnam!?" ...Such a hard question to answer! In just a few sentences, how do I get somebody to understand how insane my life in Vietnam was? And I have to assume that most people have similar preconceptions about 'Nam as I did: a hectic place with lots of thick jungle and big pointy leaves.
But, to answer the question, Vietnam was amazing. Looking back, it's chilling to remember I went to that country alone! In a period of one month, I decided to go, bought a plane ticket, signed up for a teaching course, got some shots from the doctor, and left! And I think it was the best decision I've ever made. As detrimental as it was to my bank account, it changed my view of the world... and of life. I don't mean to sound cheesy, but as much of a culture shock as it was when I landed in Saigon, it was a quite a bit sobering when I arrived back in Newark. Sure, Vietnam is definitely a little hectic, unorganized, hot, humid, and a bit smelly at times for the Western pallet. But that might just be because here in the US, everything is so easy and straight forward! I really took for granted all of what our country has to offer: paved highways without potholes, police that enforce more than civil peace, insurance policies, medical coverage, retirement funds, unemployment benefits, a justice system that compensates you if you're wronged by someone else, or if McDonald's gives you coffee that's too hot!!
I think the biggest difference between the two cultures, actually, is our concept of money. Here, hardly anyone pays cash for something over 30 bucks. We don't use cash, we use credit cards. We have mortgages, we finance cars, we take out student loans. In Vietnam they pay their electric bill in cash! They get on their motorbike and drive to the utility company's office, stand in line with the bill receipt that was dropped off at their house, and they pay for it in cash. They even pay for their vehicle in cash. They pay school tuition in cash. They usually even pay for a house in cash! In fact, I was told once that loans and credit cards are almost unheard of except for the wealthy class. No debt- and look how happy they all are! Walking down the street in Saigon, you're greeted with a smile on every street corner. You don't get that in NYC!
I'm not saying one culture is better than the other, or that one is right and one is wrong. We're so completely different. The point I'm trying to make is that I feel lucky to have experienced a way of life that is so opposite to my own, and that I otherwise would have never even imagined existed. I just can't wait to go back in ten years to see how much it's changed!
And, of course, if you ask me "How was Vietnam?" there's also at least a handful of crazy stories I can tell you too. But you'll have to ask.
