Lessons from a little country with big ideas

How I wish I could say I helped the people in Vietnam or that I have given my life to a larger purpose with the objective of helping others, but my reasons to come to South East Asia are almost entirely for me. But somehow I know that something larger is at work here. As the world becomes smaller when people travel, people can understand each other and empathize not only the differences among each other, but also how similar we really are. It seems that the few people that have opened up to me in Saigon have also the same worries as me. They want to make money for their families, pursue love, and escape this world filled with 90% work.

But even if I am similar with some people in Vietnam I have noticed some things that take time too see. Sometimes I glimpse a sense of emotion in this country. But sometimes I see a country so poor the people are callused from growing up around things that no person should ever have to feel or endure. Things I can't imagine are common place in this country. Some families are SO poor their daughters are sent away by their parents to do everything a richer family would prefer not to do, like, clean the floor, water the plants, and clean a spoiled foreigners room(me). I try to understand everyone in every society but sometimes I can not keep my voice silent when I feel things aren't up to human standards. And I thing very often I feel the tension of change in Saigon. I think the older people are more traditional and closed minded. And I can confidently say that at least once a week I see a blind person trying to navigate a dangerous city like Saigon. Or a old lady trying to cross the street, but you can tell she doesn't have complete confidence in herself as she tries to keep moving in life with motorbikes zooming by. Imagine if you knew that transport was mostly bicycles when you were born and now there are so many motorbikes you have t0 be careful crossing the street. If life were to change that quickly in life im not so sure how well i would adapt.

Ok, I will finish this later im in Hanoi, and people are getting impatient waiting because all the computers are broken.