Happy Birthday to me, Part deux

To jump right in

Japan

Seriously, lifelong dream accomplished right here. Going to Japan has been on my list of things I wanted to do ever since I discovered anime and manga (it was early in life, let me assure you). Not only did I get to visit Japan, but I got to go to, what, 7 different cities? I got to see so many things, experience so much, and-perhaps more importantly-reconnect with some friends that I hadn't seen in a LONG time. Some things are important, and those things, no matter how distant, should be kept close.

Vietnam

Vietnam was never in my list of places to go, but, the opportunity presented itself, and I am not the kind of person who will turn down travel. Ever. Out of all my adventures this past year, I think this one has the biggest list of 'bad' against it. That said though, having this unique experience was eye opening and well worth it-despite the down sides. Seeing a war torn, 3rd world country is something that everyone should do. It has a profound effect on the psyche. 

2 year anniversary with the hubs

I feel like this one is sort of self-explanatory. How could I not be excited about being married for 2 years, without there being any violence or straight up murder? I never thought I'd get married in the first place. To have it last this long is sort of a surprise. A pleasant one, yes, but a surprise nonetheless. 

World Expo

Another one of those once-in-a-lifetime things that I got to do. Since the expo is only held every few years, and never in the same country consecutively  the fact that I was in the right place at the right time is just amazing. I don't think this will be my last expo though, since there is still YEARS left for me to travel. Who knows when this will come up again though, but that chance is still there. It had its bad points, but it was still a unique experience to be able to have some part in. 

Acceptance into SFU

As I mentioned in the 10 things you likely didn't know about me post, I was not really great with that whole education thing when I was younger. It took me a while to get the swing of things, what with this being my 3rd stint in post secondary education. But, my acceptance into SFU (Simon Fraser University NOT San Francisco University) proves to me that I have grown into my intelligence. I am not a stupid person-I'm just full of hate and rage and, sometimes, laziness. But acceptance into university on my own merits, on my own terms, it's something to be proud of.

And in this vein-being asked to have an editing part-hell, even being allowed to read-a now (at the time, soon to be) published novel...well now. If that isn't making it, i don't know what is. The fact that it was an awesome book by one of my favourite people just made it that much better.

Vietnam, 둘

Apparently, this post is coming a long time after I had originally planned. The first post about Vietnam is right over here.

There are some awesome things about Vietnam, like the food, and the cheapness. There are also some not cool things, like there generally are with every country. However, I find that most of the big flaws in a country are only seen by those living there, or those who travel there for an extended period of time. This was not true for Vietnam.

It was a great trip, and I am happy that I went. That said, there is a great chance that I will never go again. This doesn't happen often, but, I think that once was enough.

There were some bad experiences tied into the good ones, which put an overall damper on my experience in Vietnam.

Most of my bad experiences were the people. Now, I DO understand that it is a war torn country, and that the war was not very long ago, and that many of the people on the streets and whatnot WERE in the war, or at least, their parents were. I do get that, and its very obvious when walking down the streets-the scar of Agent Orange runs deep in the people, and, for many, it's heartbreaking to see.

But that doesn't give them the right to try and scam me-and every other foreigner-out of money by using lies and deceitfulness. It doesn't mean that they can swarm me with cheap merchandise and get in my face about buying it. Literally. In my FACE. It doesn't mean that they can shove their ugly, crying babies in my face demanding money.

The Vietnamese people treat foreigners like they owe them something. Now, the war thing, I get that, I really do. But, most countries weren't involved in the Vietnam war. And not every foreigner is American. But, they don't seem to care. If you look foreign-you're American. And will be treated like you caused every hardship the country has faced-not just from the Vietnamese war, but, ever.

If you can ignore the people, the country is great for a visit. Beautiful, cheap, great tourist places, great beaches and some fantastic food. But if you have problems with rude, in your face people? Maybe not the country for you.

 Enjoying some of the sunshine while walking around the city.

 The Reunification Palace

 Random propaganda around the streets

 The Notre Dame-and me being sacrilegious. 

 That was a mall. I shit you not.

 This good was so good, it was insane! And all vegetarian! ^^

 View of Saigon City from a really big tower thing.

  View of Saigon City from a really big tower thing.

Saigon at night-just as busy as the daytime.

Vietnam

This post is brought to you in the tiny amount of time I have between getting back from Vietnam, and leaving again for the World Expo and our trip to Busan. After Busan, we head back to Seoul for a few days before we move back to Canada.

We are already packed and let me assure you-I have a lot of stuff! It's amazing how much stuff you can acquire in a year.

BUT!

Vietnam.

We arrived pretty late, since the flight from Korea to Ho Chi minh is about 5 hours, plus the 2 hour time zone difference (that I did not know about : / ). We got our landing Visas, which was fairly simple, and were picked up by the hotel staff. We checked in, and the hotel was awesome.

I will say this about Vietnam-it is cheap. Like, woah, kind of cheap. Like 3.5 star hotel for 28$ a night, kind of cheap.

Cool, eh?

The next day, we went out and actually did some things, saw some things, and ate some awesome food. Awesome, cheap food. Highlights? The giant post office; the French architecture; the trees; the war remnants museum (which was pretty harsh); and a jade temple.

That was almost an entire day. The next day, we took a hydrafoil to the local beach, an hour an a half away, to Vung Tao. Now, it was a nice voyage through the South China sea, where we got to see some of the endangered Mangrove trees. Vung tao itself was nice, but the beaches were super polluted and dirty, so we didn't get to go swimming. But, the city itself is worth a visit, and has some great restaurants-and a 30m jesus statue.

On the way back to Ho Chi Minh City, while sailing along in our little hydrafoil, we got some rain. And by rain, I mean a frigging monsoon. No joke. It was interesting, and sorta made me want to puke. 

That was some serious shit.

The next day, we went to see some of the other attractions we missed on the first day, such as Notre Dame (I shit you not), and the reunification palace, as well as to do some shopping and some more eating. The fruits in Vietnam are amazing, and cheap. I ate so much dragonfruit....it was glorious.

Apparently, this is going to be 2 blogs worth of stuff, since I have more to say about the country-both good and bad.

Until then1 <3 xox