Aw!

Thank you all for your lovely post! They all brought a smile to my face today!

I am in Nha Trang, Vietnam and loving it! I've been here for the past 2 days and before went to a beach Mue Ne, and Hoi Chi Ming City aka Saigon.

Hello beautiful! Mountians in Nha Trang, Vietnam

Since my last post, so much has happened! I've been meeting so many people, I have their contact information and their name written down, but I don't remember who they are. From the capital of Cambodia, I took a midnight night bus to Hoi Chi Ming City, and sat in front of these extremly beautiful men from Israel! They both were mountain climbers, and one had been to India, and Nepal, climbing Everest of course. They other one was going to Nepal around the same time I'm going to India. We talked about our hikes, mine- in the 14,000 Rocky Mountains didn't compare to their horrific stories of sleeping off the side of a cliff, and attempting Everest without oxygen. The best part of talking with them was that we shared the same passion for mountians, and nature. The one who was going to Nepal was 22 and had just gotten finished serving in the military for a mandatory commitment of 3 years. He was telling me about the training they had to do- which almost sounded abusive, but it was interesting. They both had an incredible sense of sarcasm, and... I didn't sleep much that night on the bus.

Crossing the boarder at 6am in the morning was really odd- I almost felt delerious, and it was taking a long time for everyone on the bus to get their passport stamped. As soon as we crossed the border- I felt as if I could sleep, and slept like a rock for 2 hours before arriving in the city. When I opened my eyes, we were in this huge city with billboards, skyscrapers, and so many cars and motorbikes around. The sidewalks were clean! And there were trashcans! Haha. And people used them! The two guys from Israel, this girl from Australia and I all got off the bus together and started looking for a room. Within half an hour we decided to split the cost of one room and share. It was only 11 am in the morning, but all of us were starved and headed out for a 1 dollar meal of short rice, green beans, and vietnam spices. Afterwards we walked around the city a bit, back to our guesthouse for a shower and a nap. I was exhausted.

Later I woke up, and we went walking around the city and to the local market scene for some incredible Lotus salad, seafood soup, and rice pancake. The food here is so fresh and clean! I wanted to try to climb to the top of this one skyscraper called the Texeco Building, and see the city from the night, so we headed over there- but it was closed. Everyone was just wandering around not going anywhere- and I wanted to go see the city and explore. I found myself getting frustrated, and they wanted to go back to the guesthouse, so I split up with them for the night.
I made my way to the local park where there were couples ballroom dancing in this huge gazibo. I sat and watched them for a little, then jumped across the street to this huge event center and climbed to the top for a city sky view at night. It was incredible- I was the only person in this room made of glass, and had the whole city before me. I started singing "Defying Gravity," from Wicked- which the acoustics sounded like the same as when you are singing in the shower- glorious! I went back down, and into the park, and climbed a tree- just relaxing in the arms of nature, and watching the busy city life below.
Back at the guesthouse I talked with one of the guys from Israel, and we went to the top of our guesthouse roof, and splashed water on unsuspecting pedestrians below. Ha! That was so fun. It's really nice to hang out with people about my own age or younger- cuz all the travelers I meet are older, and all act like proper adults. It's great to hang out with people who like to goof off and have fun, just as much as I do. We went back to the room and went to sleep, only for me to wake up 5 hours later to catch a bus.

I was on my way to Mue Ne- further up North along the coast. I slept a little on the bus and read my herb book, getting really excited about Ginkgo. I got off the bus and found a little alley that led to the beach. In the middle of palm trees I let the wind blast my face. Incredible feeling that you've reached the end of the world with nothing but a pack and water bottle. I turned around to go, and saw this Korean guy coming to look at the beach as well. We talked a little, and started the 5k walk into town. I wanted to research if there was a national park to stay at, so I stopped at a internet cafe for awhile. When I got out, I started walking, and not long saw my Korean friend who was on the side of the road with a motorbike looking stressed. In broken English- he asked me if I knew how to ride a bike, and then if I could teach him.

So after dropping my backpack off at his guesthouse, I got on the back of his bike and drove to a flat road along the beach side where I taught showed him how to ride. I kept my hands on the handlebars, because we almost had a sever crash. He kept putting his feet down because he said the bike didn't feel balanced. By the end of the ride into town, his feet were cut up and bleeding. It was a blessing teaching him how, because we drove pretty far- and I got to see this village on the sea made of fishing boats, and the whole coast line of little white houses. It looked like Europe from far off, but as you got closer- nope! Totally Asia. So beautiful and peaceful. I though he had the hang of the bike and he drove for a good 15 minutes without me interfeering. He asked me where I wanted to go- I wanted to check out the kitesurfers on the opposite beach- Mue Ne is known for one of the best places to kite surf in the world. We started going, and on the way, almost died in a head on collision with a car. It was really scary, and I offered to drive after that.

We drove to the kite surfing beach, and I ran in with my clothes on into the huge 6 foot swells. They were so powerful! I felt free and beautiful- After playing in the ocean, I talked to a surfer and he let me feel his kite pull against the wind. I made a sand castle in the shape of the Giza pyramid, then we left and went back to his guesthouse where he let me take a shower and then we went to dinner. We had dinner along the beach and walked on this sidewalk looking at all the live seafood people were selling. I wanted to sleep outside- and once we got back to his room I got my backpack and headed to this field with palms, and grass along the beach. I found two trees and hung a hamok, slipping on some warm clothes and tried to go to sleep.
4 hours later a tribal drum was keeping me up, and a black dog kept sniffing around me and barking. I was cold, and the wind had picked up. I slept for 2 hours then woke up at 4am and started walking to keep warm. I walked into town and figured out what time the bus was leaving, then went back to the beach for a sunny nap. I woke up and went to these huge yellow sand dunes which looked like desert as far as you could see. This was really cool. I then walked back slowly admiring the beach and fishing village.

The bus to Nha Trang was a great time to sleep, and when I woke up 4 hours later I was in the middle of green rice fields, mountains, and the sun was setting casting an orange haze in the valley. Nature never dissapoints me. I arrived in the city of Nha Trang and got off the bus with these two girls (Kiwis) - which we ended up sharing a room. They were so nice and were on their way to Australia to work. We parted in the morning.
I got up and went for a run along the beach, then saw a mountian in the distance and decided to climb it. I felt like I could run forever, and ran until I couldn't anymore. I was running across this bridge, and saw this guy through a woman's purse into the water below. After he had gone, I dived in and got it. He probably had stolen her wallet, because it wasn't in there anymore but there was some sunscreen which I used for my shoulders then tossed the purse in the trashcan. I walked back along the beach jumping in to cool off occasionally. The ocean waves crashed around me, and sent foam up the beach line stealing sand from under my toes. It was incredible.

I passed this middle aged Asian man, wearing white shorts and enjoying the beach. He looked up at me and smiled- probably in response to my sap happy grin on my face. I didn't think anything of him, just made eye contact, and walked on. In a matter of seconds I felt his hand grabbing my boob and the other hand around my shoulder so I couldn't move. I gasped, shocked, then spun around with my tennis shoes in my hand hitting him in the face and yelling "What are you thinking! Fuck off!" I yelled really loud. Partly out of anger, and partly to scare him off. He started running off in the sand. (Ugh! So gross! Nothing like that has ever happened- and we were in a public place!) I kept walking and turned around to see if he was following. I saw him look back and as he did, I gave him the finger (means the same word in every language). What a creep!

I walked back a little faster along the beach, and saw the two girls who I shared the room with the night before. I told them what had just happened, and one of the girls was like, "well I guess you're not sleeping on this beach tonight." Haha. Ya, she was right. No way. I felt like God had put them there so I could just tell someone what happened, and regroup and go on my way. I went back and picked up my bag, then found a moter taxi who took me to a really great place to stay for not very expensive. I dropped my bag and crashed.

Compared to Thailand, Vietnam is really expensive. My room in Thailand on average would cost $1.50, here the cheapest is $5-7. A meal in Thailand is around $1. Here it is $2 or 3. Any way...

Nha Trang Beach

Gothic church in Nha Trang

When I woke up, I walked to the market, bought some pineapple, spinach, and fruit. I had this lady in a red t-shirt following me around telling me what everything was in English, and eating things along the way. I had a feeling I was paying extra, and paying for what she was eating too. Haha. I left, went to the beach, spread my blanket and cut the pineapple which I shared with a group of 7 children, then went swimming in the waves. It was starting to get dark, and I was cold- so I went back to my room, showered, watched looney tunes, and went to bed. I was happy, and felt so full of life.

The next day I woke up, ran along the beach, showered and rented a bike and road around the city from 3pm to 9:30pm at night. I went by this old gothic cathedral on top of the hill that was empty, and sang there- which sounded incredible. I also went to this temple and huge white Buddha on top of the hill which served as a war memorial. I like the idea of Buddhism better than Christianity. Religion in itself is so screwed up. But the warmth and love in the temple- compared to the Gothic church was incredible. Also- why are all of the churches locked? And temples are open 24/7 if you need anything... I'll never forget the homeless person I saw come into our church back home who was wanting some food, and the junior pastor turned him down because he had to go preach- and didn't have time. I think this is so messed up. In a temple the monks own nothing and give their whole life for the sake of their god. They are so dedicated, welcoming, and honoring of other humans. True Buddhism is not a religion- but a commitment to purity. I like this mentality, but know I cannot achieve purity, sinless ways, or end the sufferings of my ego on my own. I can never pay for my sins. Thank you God for making a way.


This morning I got up and ran by the beach, showered, washed some clothes, ate some fruit, then went to the market for some more fruit and soup. I am going to Hue An tonight then to Hue the next night. After that to Hanoi- the capital of Vietnam, then to Sapa to climb Fanispan- the highest mountain in Vietnam. While I'm climbing the mountain, my passport will be getting a visa for India at the embassy in Hanoi. I am planning on getting a flight from Hanoi to Bangkok on the 21st in the morning, then later that evening at 7pm flying to New Delhi from Bangkok.

I've already made arrangements with the leader of YWAM International, Dannel Lee to teach in their ESL school in Delhi. Which is in the greater Nodika province... I have no idea. I'll be sharing a room with one of the teachers and will have food for free. He said it's a combination of Korean and Indian students, and so the food is a combination of the two as well. It's really hot there right now, and I guess I have 2 to 3 weeks of vacation between the semesters which I hopefully can go mountain climbing up north in the Himalayas. I"m so excited!!!!! Can't wait to go!
Basically after I fly to India- and start teaching I have no plans after that. I know God will continue to lead me.
I might have to get an actual job soon though because I want to keep traveling and teaching. Volunteering is so great, but I need to have money to get from one place to the next- only since hitching isn't safe in the middle east. :)

I wish I could add my own photos- but my pack is back at the bus station...soon to come! Love all!