Thank you for those who dedicate a portion of their day to read about my exciting journey here in Vietnam! It really means the world for me to have the opportunity to be here and share my experience with everyone.
I mentioned last week that I will be visiting a middle school this week. The middle school is the same one that my advisor teaches at so she was suppose to be my on-site mentor and guide as well. However, my advisor had some unexpected family issues and so we had to postpone my visit until next week. Even though it is unfortunate that I had to postpone my original plans, I thought I would take the time to update everyone how "Eating Vietnam: Dispatches from a Blue Plastic Table" by Graham Holliday is going. The last couple of weeks for me have been chaotic, to say the least, and I have not had the chance to finish the book. I finally got to sit down and read about the authors experience as a food enthusiast and a foreigner moving to Vietnam and discovering the cuisine that exists here. His detailed and colorfully vivid narrative accurately describes living in Saigon, from the "blast of beef bones, fish sauce, fried tofu, and shrimp paste" to the "cables and wires resembling jungle vines choking the entire length" of the city. In the food hub of Vietnam, everyone here are passionate eaters and even better cooks. Holliday perfectly describes the lifestyle of Vietnam people everywhere in the city as simply "Eating. Cooking. Chopping. Frying. Boiling. Steaming. Serving. Shouting." Reading his narrative I can relate definitely relate to his feelings of confusion and awe stepping into a foreign country. I can understand how baffled one can be leaving a place he called home for all his life and rediscovering himself in a drastically different culture. Until this day, I still find it hard to believe I am in Vietnam and I am cherishing every moment of it. I will give my final thoughts and review on the book in following weeks!
Thank you all so much for everyone's continuous support these past weeks! I do miss home back in the states, but I genuinely enjoy traveling and exploring on my own. I have made countless of friends that have welcomed me into their country and stood by me on this journey. With only two weeks left, my stay in Vietnam is almost up and I know I will be heartbroken to leave. My stay here has been incredible and I cannot wait to see what else lies ahead!
Make sure to come back next week!
Best Wishes,
Crystal Vo
That's really awesome that you are able to fully understand and relate his experiences in Vietnam with yours. Sounds like your visit to Vietnam is an adventure that has exceeded your expectations. Have a great time!!
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