In the heat of the night
16 Jun
I returned to Hanoi with my SSI open water certification on Monday afternoon. I can now dive anywhere around the world. I am really excited about this and hope to get more advanced diving certifications in the near future. Next stop, Borneo in July!
I do recommend a trip to Nha Trang if you want to hang out with teeny-bopper backpackers, go to a kitschy mud bath, or see some dead coral. But, I had a great weekend nonetheless.
And then I returned to Hanoi and started to stress. I was finally moving from my house in the robber-laden neighborhood to a new home that is right next to the US Ambassador’s house and has 24-hour guards. But, I had to pack up all my things and move across town. I arrived in Hanoi ten months ago with only what I could carry through the airport, but since then I have acquired a lot of stuff. The idea of bringing all my suitcases through the alley with lots of traffic and vendors was enough stress to outweigh a whole weekend of relaxation.
After work on Monday, I was planning to go home and pack, but a friend convinced me to come to a big dinner. Then another friend convinced me to go get a drink. And then the owner of the bar convinced me to stay later. And then it was 2am and my friend and I decided that it would be good hour to move. So I moved all my suitcases across town at witching hour. It was actually genius. The streets were quiet and it was not as hot. When I woke up the next morning, it felt like it had all been a dream.
Now I just need to begin the process of unpacking and acquiring some much needed items for my new house (like internet, knives to cut fruit, a place to put my clothing…).
Let the fun begin!
That must have been a hilarious sight for anyone up around that hour!! Sounds like a good (and much safer) move though!