About Getting Lost
By: Monique Birgitte
Tags: Travel, Vietnam, Short Story, Lost, Adventure

About Getting Lost

What I love most about traveling, is to just go outside with no particular destination in mind. My first day exploring the surroundings of this part of Hanoi was no different…

To say that I was getting fresh air is a bit of a stretch, considering the I-don’t-know-how-many bikes that drive around here. Two seconds after stepping out on the road, I have to control the urge to turn around and run right back inside, where it’s safe….and quiet.

Okay! Bikes right, left, behind and in front of me… Maybe get off the road Mo…! So I look around and try to reach the pavement on the other side of the road. Instantly, I go back to the rule I learned as a kid. Before crossing the street you have to look left, then right, then left again. Yeah, that’s not gonna work here! Fuck it! If I just keep walking on this side of the road semi taking cover in the shops whenever I see one, I’ll be fine!

I feel a bit anxious though and the incessant honking doesn’t help either! Thankfully, I reach the big wide main street with actual pavements. Finally relaxing, I take a deep breath. Dumb idea Mo! Did you really think a billion exhausts on the road would give you fresh air? Won’t make that mistake twice. I say to myself while coughing.

Even though, I don’t have a specific place in mind to go to. I’m kind of looking for a nice cafe to have my caffeine fix for the day. Ooh this looks like a fun street. Lots of people, with all sorts of food stalled out on the street and not many bikes…. I like it! Smiles left and right. I nod and say “Xin

Fish and some raw meat being prepared

Chau”. Some reply with a happy “ Hello”. Some just nod back and point at the raw meat on display. Out in the open hot air, ready for infestation. Yeah, no thanks!

At the end of the road I turn right and all of a sudden it has gone quiet. No more honking. No people. No chicks running around, almost making me trip over them. HONK, HONK!! Startled, I jump to the right. My heart is pounding in my chest. A big bike behind me. Welcome to Hanoi!

Only once I exhale, I realize that I had been holding my breath for quite a while. Hmm let’s check out what is behind that door.Inspired I take out my camera and start taking pictures. Slowly, I follow the road, or path if you will. At a certain point, I feel as though I’m intruding. Might be because I can see into all these people’s houses, or because my face just got caught in low hanging laundry. Still, I’m kind of intrigued and want to carry on to see where this path will take me.

I’m pretty sure it’s going to be another dead end, but still…. The Dutch phrase “Als je het niet geprobeerd hebt weet je het ook niet” pops into my head. It’s a saying my best friend Inge and I concocted, and it’s one of my favorites. Translated it doesn’t sound as fun, but it works in any given situation: “You never know, until you try.” We’re so wise ; )

And so I continue to lose myself in the city which I will call my home the next two months ish. The city full of exhausts, loud noises, people making disgusting snorting sounds in public…like all the time! Flying chickens, meat covered in bugs out in the open, crazy yet very skilled drivers. The city where bus schedules don’t seem to exist. Where once you’re on the right bus, people tell you to shut up in order to consequently speak loudly on their phone.

Yup, it’s going to be interesting!

Inspirational writer @ www.trulyfeelgood.com