Landing in Vietnam was like being transported into the future after Bhutan. Twenty-four hours a day we were surrounded by the hum of humanity. We had rented an apartment for a week to regroup, reflect on our time in Bhutan and get ready for our next adventure. I realize this year the importance of transition, making the time and space to reflect, regroup and prepare for the next dive into a new world. We have started to build these transitions into our plans, and they have been critical for our sanity. They are also this weird half world as you let a new place sink in and as you processing the old.
Isabelle said 'mom it is weird how in a city of 9 million it feels like there is nothing to do, but if I were in a small place in the woods it would be like there was too much to do.' Clearly, they have grown up in Alaska, but it was striking how much more isolating and intimidating this huge city felt compared to Bhutan, our small islands in Croatia and Noraway and home. But soon we learned the streets, corner shops and places to go. Slowly the city started to show itself, and we were able to change gears into a new culture, new pace, and a new world.