Traffic

Ho Chi Minh

If you want an amusing reaction, tell people you're going on holiday to Vietnam.  Never fails.

It's not that unusual; the road between Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi is well travelled by backpackers, adventure seekers and Russian gazillionaires alike.

The country has only been open to tourism for 20 years and has a poorly documented history over this side of the world.  I'll post more photos and thoughts as I go.  In the meantime there is only one thing to start with.

The traffic.  It's legendary.  And here's what it looks like.



By the end of my trip I was an expert at avoiding the buses before I stepped out and simply looking forward.  The best thing is to let the bikes (40 million of them in a country of 90 million people) work round you, walking slowly and consistently so that they can predict your movements.  By looking at the oncoming swarm of traffic your instincts not to die will kick in, and that's how accidents happen.

If anyone smells a metaphor coming... they'd be right.  It's a little one though, stop rolling your eyes.

Light traffic somewhere in Hue, Vietnam

The year has passed its half way point, my lists are ticking along nicely and for the most part things are moving upwards with my internal search for peace.  I'm more aware than ever of the things most likely to trip me up and I do all I can to clear the path.  It can be consuming, constantly checking for holes I might fall into.  I spend a lot of time looking down and missing the scenery.

And sometimes, if I keep looking over my shoulder at the potential scariness coming my way, fixating on the negative and living in fear of bad days ... well I believe it's known as a self fulfilling prophecy.

Eyes forward, go slowly and get to the other side.  Right now that's the best idea.  If it worked in Vietnam...?