On fear

and growth.

If I can sum up my trip to Vietnam in any way, it is with this scale:

Oh, yes, for those who don’t follow me on Instagram, I am in Vietnam.

Unlike people who normally run away to Vietnam after they have a mild (not mild) breakdown because they don’t know how to balance work and life, I decided to spend three weeks in Hanoi. I figured that I could get some work done (I know) cos I don’t have friends up there, chill out, recharge and become human again.

From all accounts from other people, Hanoi is a laid-back little town with excellent food. This is half true. The food is excellent, yes. Laid back? Fuck no.

I am one of those people who like to stay on schedule while I am away. Plus, scientifically, if I only change one variable at a time, I can identify where the issue is. This is a long-winded way for me to say I still woke up at 6am, went to the gym and blah, blah, blah, boring stuff. The hotel gym was woeful, so I spent four hours back in Melbourne Googling every gym, looking at the Google images, stalking their social accounts and reading blogs written by people who like to travel and work out. It was a very unpleasant rabbit hole. The place I found was a few kilometres away- too far to walk in 40-degree heat and 90+% humidity.

Before I left, I downloaded Grab and Gojek because I was told they’re the only way to get around in South-East Asia. The added bonus is that they link directly to your card so you don’t have to fumble around with money on the other end.

On day one of my stay in Hanoi, I had a shower, a coffee, some quick-digesting carbs, bathed myself in sunscreen, put on my very daggy gardening hat for protection from the ridiculously bitey sun, called a Gojek and saw my life flash before my eyes.