SvenskaTo remember is sometimes a challenge. Memories, can be difficult to define. And they may also change due to various circumstances and also over time – months, years and decades. Memories, most probably, shape your daily life, in little, as well as bigger decisions. Because, life is more or less, built on decisions. From dusk to dawn. What clothes am I going to wear today? Does the sun shine today or is it rainy? What would I like to have for lunch? And so on. Western countries problems.
Sometimes you don´t want to remember, but the memories are there weather you like it or not. Right now I think a lot about my voyage to Indochine. I am still thinking about my very first day there. How to get to know a new country. I read a lot before going, but the book is one thing and reality may be something completely different. I also thought a lot about languages since I don´t know any Asian language.
I remember that it was a challenge to cross roads where all the motor bikes were. Very few cars. I learnt that it was very good to have a motor bike. And if you had a bicycle that was a sign to show that you were going to have a motor bike. Often, when I was going to cross a road I saw if there was anyone who also was going to cross the road. Once I met a couple in a really busy street. I though they were from Vietnam, but they rapidly answered “No, we are from Japan, and we are organized”. And they laught.
I like to walk a lot, and I did that on my very first day in Hanoi. I liked the Hoan Kiem Lake a lot. In the Old French Quarter. There was some kind of karma there that I liked a lot. It just felt good to be there. And there was a very cute story about a turtle there, who, a few centuries ago, saved the town from being occupied by China, I think. The turtle is almost holy and they have a little island where they go. The guide said very determined “they go there to relax” and in the same sentence with no words: you should not disturb them. Leave them in peace and harmony so they can continue to protect our city. It was just so cute. I will always remember.
There were always a lot of activities going on around the lake. I saw women dancing, tai chi in the mornings, people walking, talking, having a cup of tea or coffee. Maybe that is why I had this good karma. And rather close to the lake was the Opera where I listened to the beautiful concert. A very good introduction to learn more about Vietnam. Vietnamese village life from a poetic view.