green

So, we’re headed back down the river now. Goodbye, Vietnam.

I don’t want to leave. If we spent another three months here, I would be happy.

I just realized that I can say the word “yesterday” and follow it up with “I was in Vietnam”. That I’ve been able to do this with so many different countries, ones that only existed on maps and in history books before this trip, astounds me. Sometimes, for moments, I’m caught off guard. I wake up from a strand of seconds of normalized travel and say “Oh shit! I’m in Penang!” “I have India’s dirt under my nails” “Jesus Lord…I’m in Vietnam”

As for pulling myself away from these places, I’m not sure if it’s become any less difficult. I don’t know that I’m used to it, and I different levels of different types of affection for each port.

Yesterday was my most intense day in Vietnam. Hanan and I went first to the War Remnants Museum. Anyone who knew I was going to Vietnam and did not expect me to burry myself in a pile of photojournalism is a fool. I spent hours there. It was intense. Deformed Agent Orange babies in jars. Photographs of mangled bodies. Love letters from people who hadn't seen each other in three years. Craziness.

I also climbed through the Cu Chi Tunnels, an experience that has left me certain of one thing: you do not mess with Vietnam! You just don't! Seriously, America, what the HELL were you thinking?

You F'ed up, US. Then you faught dirty. Then you still lost.

I can't even write anymore. More later.

PS, I fired an AK47