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Writer's pictureGunilla Jensen

Lemonade

There's a saying "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade". My journey sometimes don't go the way I want it, but I can try and make the best of a bad situation.


I've been having some problems on this trip. They are quite common for cyclists and let's just say, it's a pain in the bum! It flared up again when reaching Đà Nẵng in Vietnam, and I had to take a break from cycling. To add insult to injury (another saying meaning that something makes the situation worse), when I came right, I stubbed my toe. Paulina had to keep cycling towards Hanoi to catch her plane home, and left me behind. It could have been a very "lemon" situation for me.


However, the Warm Showers hosts in Đà Nẵng were amazing. The house was a cycling community house for Xuyên Viêt, a cycling event the length of Vietnam. A few young people in their 20s and 30s were flatting there.



The best was the food. These young Vietnamese men could cook! I watched one of them preparing dinner, experimenting with different ingredients, using the basic ingredients to perfection. I got a cooking lesson too.



It was also lots of fun hanging out with them. There were trips to the beach and local cafes, cups of tea on the balcony, karaoke and a cycle trip around town. It was always accompanied by much singing. I made myself at home, and my body and my mind appreciated the three weeks break.


A couple of days before reaching Đà Nẵng, Paulina and I had met a teacher from an English Language School in Núi Th'ành, about 100km south of Đà Nẵng. I contacted the school, if I could volunteer with them for a few days, and they said yes.


I quickly had a haircut for NZ$8.80, and a couple of the girls helped me go clothes shopping. In no time, I changed from grubby cyclist to stylish English teacher.



I had such an amazing time at the school. It was personally rewarding to encourage and support the young Vietnamese and I loved it.



One of the classes was a group of four 17-18 year olds. They were so full of life and fun to hang around. They are going to make it far in life and do things they never thought possible.



Through great conversations, I learnt about Vietnam and the people. I had interesting conversations about lives of women, family dynamics, retirement, LGBTQ+, gender change, youth crime, and other contentious topics.


To all my wonderful friends in Đà Nẵng and Núi Th'ành: Cảm ơn! Thank you for letting me be part of your everyday lives, your mealtimes, and your family celebrations. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your lives with me. I'm humbled and impressed, and I think Vietnam is a better place because of you.

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