Japan, Vietnam, France, Australia, Scotland, Canada, US- just a few different cultures in one room on our intercultural farewell party for the Japanese this week. My experiences have been endless with different cultures. We have had many laughs from our misunderstandings, we have had struggles with our language barriers but we have learned so much about each other. A small example. I was hugging this little Vietnamese girl and I said "I love hugging you" cause she's so tiny. And she replies with "I like hugging you too because it feels like I'm hugging a bear" .... Hhhmmm ok haha thanks?! Haha but it's a good thing, it means I'm warm and welcoming. in reality I am much bigger than EVERY single Vietnamese here haha
My organization in Vietnam has been more than amazing now that I have settled in. Spending time with all these different people has become a dream come true and has given me my calling. I want to become a volunteer coordinator. You will constantly learn, struggle and discover new things not only about others but about yourself as well. I have chosen to extend my time in Hanoi till May 17 before I travel down to Ho Chi Minh City. Despite my struggles in the beginning this experience has only gotten better and better with each day. It has definitely been a place of discovery for myself which has been full of many challenges.
To share a few stories first I will start with Karaoke night. Asian Karaoke is loud, it's proud and it's wild haha. The Vietnamese were ready to celebrate that night! As the night begins with communal dinner in the large common room with endless food, hot pots and of course a couple kegs of beer. The beers are flowing, the clinking of glasses are followed by calls of cheers and then a finished beer in hand. Songs at the karaoke bar are belted out with no shame with a little dancing show in the middle. We had our own private room for this experience.
Then some hard work in the sweltering heat of the fisher village in Hanoi this week. As we Drip sweat from every pore of our body we dig and haul dirt to build a little canal/dugout for this famiy's ducks. This is only a taste of what this family must do to maintain their livelihood. We return 2 days later to find it flooded from the overnight rain and feel feelings of disappointment since we could not finish the job. The next job is to paint the walls of the youth centre but with so many bodies- about 12 there is only so much each of us can do so I find myself watching most of the time- the Japanese' ability to paint/draw is much better than mine anyway.
I have learned there is no way to plan our lives you can only guide them. We must be flexible and open to the possibilities our life presents us. Rather than stress about the lack of control embrace change and it will lead you to discoveries beyond your imagination. Let go and be free!!
Xx Live Your life xX
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