So here I go onto the next phase of my journey. I am flying solo (in the proverbial sense, as well as the literal sense) for the next 9 months, and it is a really scary feeling to know that for this adventure, my biggest and most reliable resource will be myself.
I am nervous about a million things, and excited about most of those same million things as well. I'm also, dare I say it, sad to leave the cushiness of this orientation in Hanoi, with a wonderful hotel and hotel staff, 14 wonderful fellow Fulbrighters, and tons of western amenities whenever we needed them.
Tonight I will be in Hanoi alone, and it is a weird feeling to truly be alone in a place. I am hoping to go to the Hoa Lo Prison Museum this afternoon, and I will go for a run tonight around the lake for one last time. It is weird, being alone, not to be accountable to anyone or anything. No one will know or care if I do or do not go to the Museum, or if I do or do not go for a run, or if, on the contrary, I decide to stay in my room and waste my whole last day. For this reason, I want to be stricter on myself about setting a daily routine and schedule, so that I do not become complacent, lazy, and reclusive by accident, once I get to Ha Tinh.
Alright, the first step in accomplishing this goal is to take a shower, meet my friends for one last lunch before everyone leaves, and then start my day of wandering Hanoi. I will write more later!
Some preliminary thoughts...
- Allison B.
- Somerville, Massachusetts, United States
- Finding the best places to eat and drink in my area! Check back for more!
Sounds great - keep up the good work. Safe travels onto Ha Tinh. Love, Mom
ReplyDeleteBeing alone also means no one will judge you if you choose to be lazy. I realize I'm several days (or half a month) after the fact, but you've experienced a lot that's new, and taking time for yourself and taking time to process isn't such a bad thing either.
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