Why Vietnam?

So here it goes .... the first of hopefully many entries about our adventures in Vietnam.   No, we haven't embarked on our journey yet, but we are just days away now!

There have been a lot of mixed reactions to the news of our trip but hands down, the question we have been asked the most, is "Why Vietnam?"  (strong emphasis on the Vietnam part☺) 

Time and time again, we have heard stories about Southeast Asia but one country in particular seems to stand out the most in conversations - Vietnam.  A number of years back, our friends (the Thompson's) journeyed for the better part of a year around our beautiful globe and concluded there was one country in particular that they fell in love with - Vietnam.  So, like any smart traveler about to embark on a journey, I went out to find myself a copy of Lonely Planet Vietnam.   I opened it up to the first page and this is what I read:

 "If there is one country in Southeast Asia that everyone has heard about long before they discover the region, it's Vietnam.  Of course, such infamy wasn't always for the right reasons, but this is the new Vietnam and it's one of the most intoxicating places on earth.  It's a kaleidoscope of vivid colors and subtle shades, of exotic sights and curious sounds of compelling history and contrasting cultures.   Nature has blessed Vietnam with a bountiful harvest.  From the soaring mountains of the far north to the carpet of emerald-green rice paddies in the south, Vietnam is little short of stunning.  The curvaceous coastline is defined by endless beaches, lovely lagoons and hidden coves.  Inland, peasant women in conical hats still tend to their their fields and children ride buffalo along country paths. ..... Vietnam is in top gear.  Try and catch it before it reinvents itself as another Malaysia or Thailand.  For now, it remains one of the most enriching, enlivening and enticing countries on earth."   

SOLD!!!!!  I bought the book, we purchased our open-ended plane tickets and are currently packing our bags.  

Some might think we are a little crazy to be taking our young children (3 & 5yrs) on such a journey.  Young, yes, but their ages make them perfectly portable and adaptable!  We think it's an amazing opportunity for Stella and Max to begin to see that how we live here in Canada is not how the majority of the world lives.  We want them to witness first hand that though North Americans have 'much' in terms of material possessions, there's a whole wide world out there of people who are rich in so many other ways. Then there's that beautiful thing that happens when you travel ... the things you learn as a result of being a part of another culture for a couple of months. "Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living" - Miriam Beard

We are eager ... anxious .... excited .... nervous .... prepared ... overwhelmed .... ready.  Sometimes in my apprehensive state I reflect on the words of Dr. Seuss:

You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.

T minus 5 days!!!!

Hope you will follow along on our journey ... we'll write again from the 'other side'!