I went through the photos well after the trip which was actually last November. It is now January as I declutter my gallery, settling into my new flat and sipping hot Jasmine tea. Rediscovering the views I still dream of, glad that I captured them when I did.
Most days: sunrise and sunset views. Beeping from afar. The city never went to sleep. The neighbours talked all night.
It took an hour to get to Central Hanoi. My cousins did most of the haggling. Even with my limited Vietnamese, I was able to have witty conversations with the locals. Saw tourists taking walks, couples holding hands, couples sitting on benches and staring into the distance. Friends nagging each other and laughing.
In between shopping sprees, we mostly sat in cafés crowded with students and international guests, overlooking the markets. Here I wondered how my life would look like, who I would be, if I had grown up here.
The city at night made my heart beat. It was bright with lights and the bustle of mopeds ruling Central was exhilarating. What was once overwhelming for me became a fond memory, an excitement for long evenings and even longer nights.
In the car, approaching Ninh Binh.
Amidst mostly Vietnamese tourists, we got on a boat and had the guide tell us folklore while we basked in the morning sun and dipped our toes into the water. I did not think about my life. Or how I felt rushed in my experience.
Some things looked eerily unreal, although they stood right before me. Even the air was different.
Mostly, I generated inspiration for my Asian dark academia novel. I wrote down notes when I wasn’t taking photos, gnawing at the beauty of the temples, the green nature, seemingly untouched waters. Wondering who was walking the same paths, what they were talking about.
For me, it was quiet, calm and nurturing. I stayed there, in that state, for as long as I could.
I have collected all my video clips and those that my sister shot for a video. You can find it here:
Looks like such an inspiring trip!
Lovely post, Hannah; hoping I can visit the homeland too someday(^ω^)