We're not in Kansas (ie. Hanoi) anymore

It's been awhile since I posted, especially since I always diligently tried to post once or twice a week when I was in Vietnam and made it part of my work activities. Now I am back at an office job, where I really can't spend time 'blogging' as part of my related responsibilities!

Caroline and I coming from paddling and eating at West Lake.

It's been about a month since I been back. And I look back now and can see I was definitely in reverse culture shock even in a bit of a downer mood. You think everything is the same and everybody is going to be exactly how they were before you left, but I think people forget that they are always changing even though it doesn't feel like it. I felt quite out of place and not in tuned into how Ottawa society is supposed to be lived. The streets felt empty, everyone seemed huge (compared to all the 100lb Vietnamese locals I was accustomed to seeing), and it felt like all the life was sucked out of the city that I remembered being so outgoing and bustling. I couldn't help but compare everything to Hanoi and almost felt guilty for going back to my comfortable lifestyle. I told myself I would be more frugal, not buy useless things, and be more conscience of my decisions and really think about how it effects 'sustainable' development.

Dan and his manly minsk, I miss xe om's!

How long did that last? Not very, I'll tell ya. That lasted for about 7 days, being generous. How I went from one extreme to the other extreme in such a short period of time still surprises me. Ottawa began to come back to life for me, I was finding the common ground with my friends again, and I was back to my spending ways (eating out and rationalizing purchases because I needed them). I got completely settled back into my old life that Vietnam felt like a distant memory that I had to remind myself that I was just there a few short weeks ago. But then something small or random would happen and it would trigger my memory and I could find my Vietnam space again.

Mai always the drunk at every party ...

Well, I can't say I completely have not kept up some of my Vietnam lifestyle - I have only really cooked one nice meal since being back, the rest of it has been a lot of sandwiches, pre-cooked whole bbq chicken from Loblaws, and steamed vegetables. I do miss being able to eat out all the time (for cheap and the fresh fruit)!

Tu (Vietnamese God author) and I at a friend's house party

I am back to my routine, I joined an ultimate team (go Rational Agents!), a sport and social club, and a swim class. Been running along the Ottawa River and really appreciate the true sky blue skies. My friend Lily now has a big round belly and I am glad I will be around when she has her baby boy.

So that's enough for my ramblings tonight. I just got back from pub food and drinks after our hard fought ultimate game. Not sure if anyone is reading anymore, but thanks to everyone who said they really enjoyed reading it. I didn't know I had quite the faithful fan base :) I will be writing from time to time, it helps me reflect about Vietnam and I don't want, probably my most influential trip and personal growth experience, to become a distant memory.