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from Vietnam with love ( a repost)


One of my dreams is to squeeze and crawl inside the Cu Chi tunnels and relive the tactical strategies of the vietnamese during the war. I'm so glad my ate took me with her to this one of a kind adventure! hahaha! now, that's one item ticked off my bucket list! imagine nagkasya ako dun kahit na chabita ako.. hahah=p

Hhmm, so what's special about vietnam? besides me being more vigilant while crossing the streets... (grabeng dami naman kasi ang motorista dun! it'll take us almost 3-4 minutes bago makatawid!) haha feeling expert nako pagdating ng manila! kidding aside... the trip felt that i was transported to one of philippines' provinces. Saigon was such a small place yet full of flavor. Distinct from the usual places we went to; vietnam for me is a struggling country much like the Philippines but has a collective fervent passion in working its way towards being world class. I will not be surprised if they'd take over us a few years from now. From its people, to the places, to the food, and coffee they offer... Vietnam has a boldness you just can't ignore. Just by simply looking at their airport.. the shops and the way they speak... you could feel the vietnamese pride welling out.

They say simplicity is beauty and that is what MEKONG DELTA offers. Here you can witness the daily living of the locals. The westerners definitely enjoyed this one. Well, who could blame them? Against the hustle and bustle of the big city, this tour offers relaxation and laid back afternoons. We enjoyed a tea party complete with organic honey! yum!=) and went island hopping through seemingly F1 rowers.. hahaha! saya! Not only that! we get to taste their delicacies and even if they taste foreign on my tongue i sure do loved trying it especially the coconut candies. Ooohhh, and their coffee? well, they're one of the best! the civet coffee really has a rich flavor to it kahit na galing sa droppings ng civet cat. hahaha hindi mo na maiisip na galing sa pupu yun kasi masarap!!! (^^,) I saw westerners biking around the island as if going back to their childhood days. And i can't help thinking that they too would love the Philippines for that! kulang na nga lang hilain ko sila sa gilid at sabihin bumisita naman kayo sa amin...=)

Since I went to Cambodia i've been fascinated with Asian history all the more! and saigon being close to cambodia-- both had a connection. I learned more about their cultures and struggles as a country when i visited the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM. I was teary eyed as i grazed upon pictures and anecdotes about the clash of America and Vietnam. My heart had been broken for hundreds of men who laid their life for their country. It even broke my heart more when i read Mr. Ho Chi Minh's speeches and how he uplifted each vietnamese to stand their ground and fight for their fellowmen! Although, it centered more on the sufferings of the vietnamese, an earlier visit to the CU CHI TUNNELS gave me a balanced take on both sides of the story.

Speaking of Mr. Ho Chi Minh, we we're privileged enough to witness local athletes paying respect to him and this was featured on national TV. Their admiration is still evident today. Deep in my mind I wondered, do we filipinos have the same hearts toward our heroes and leaders? Do we still carry in us the battle they so encouraged for us to wage on? Well, I hope we still do because we have so much to fight for.



Traveling for me (and for my sister too) is not just about leisure, sight- seeing or shopping... it is much more. For in it, my eyes are being opened to different perspectives and it never fails to widen my horizon. It exposes me to how the world looks at a much grander scale and it even takes me farther as it urges me to dig deep within and connect to my roots. As I travel and learn about new countries and cultures I learn more about the Philippines and how to be a filipino. When i go places, my heart always burns and it yells inside, I'm proud to be Pinoy!=)