The Angst of Separation

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Trip Start Nov 12, 2008 Previous
Entry Trip End Dec 02, 2008

  Incheon, Korea Rep.
Monday, December 1, 2008

For the past almost three weeks, the five of us have moved and traveled as almost a symbiotic unit. Now, after traveling through remote (and not so remote) parts of the world, we have gone our semi-separate ways. Most of us will meet again in Southern California while Katherine makes her way back east to her dogs she has been missing (and who have also been missing her, I'm sure).

Vicki and I had nine long hours to spend in the airport in Korea. It'd be great if we could leave the airport and see a little of the country but since a visa is required, the ultra modern airport and deluxe airport lounge it is - thanks of course to Vicki who got us into the lounge in the first place.

I'm sure this will be more exciting once I've had more sleep but since there were two crying/screaming babies on the plane our sleep was limited to only an hour or so. Luckily though the lounge has a rest area where we were able to each have slightly private area and a relatively uncomfortable reclining chair to sleep on. Even the few hours of sleep was welcomed. I'm craving coffee and I've noticed that the closer we get to going home, the longer my short list of things I take for granted becomes. I can't wait for little things - hot water, not having to use bottled water to brush my teeth, fresh salads, ice (without having to ask if it's from mineral water or from the tap), clean western toilets, and so on. Not to mention friends and family who have traveled the trip with us - thank you for your comments and emails. Although I will miss (and already do) the group think, planned trip/experiences and of course the constant company of fun, intelligent and entertaining women.

On a side note, we went for Pho yesterday after our half-day tour of Hanoi (which included the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (not opened on Mondays), the houses he lived in and the first university in Vietnam (ironically named "National University" that was founded in the 1100's). Our tour happened to be given to us by the same fun guide, Anh who we had in HaLong Bay (surprise!). So after spending several days with us and ending up dancing on the bus with us/for us on the way back, he somehow ended up with us again. And while Anh had recommended the Pho "restaurant" after taking us to his favorite coffee shop for "the best" coffee (which was really very good), we still looked questioningly at each other as we sat down at the not particularly clean table with used limes and napkins littering the floor. Anh had said the place was famous for it's Pho and we trusted him. The waiter laughed at us when we ordered (by holding up our fingers, we want this many) and reached into the bowl of rice noodles that were sitting out, plunking them into the boiling water. When the four bowls were delivered we looked at each other again before diving in. It was fantastic. And the best part is that all of it combined was 80,000 dong, or about a dollar a piece. Finally! We have eaten from a street kitchen in Vietnam and lived to tell the tale.

But now we are going our separate ways to our individual houses and lives. Already I'm impatient to see the pictures and experience the trip again. It has been absolutely amazing to get away and have all of these experiences, and it will also be great to get back.

Post your own travel photos for friends and family Pictures

Last afternoon in Vietnam

Electrical lines in Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

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