You list "money, education, safety, freedom". The Americans you refer certainly have more money, and from that they have more freedom and usually more safety, but there truly are many people there, including in some of the areas that you took pictures of that have more education than them; well, as long as we're defining education as knowledge (including of formal subjects) and understanding.
"freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose"
That weird line makes even prison sound good. Meanwhile, freedom of assembly, and freedom to defend families, homes and businesses are being chipped away. Those freedoms are pro-community.
Very nice photos and commentary. The last photo of the people meditating is noteworthy....they are Falun Gong, which has recently caught on in a big way in Vietnam. Over 1m people doing the practice there!
We've traded tribal belonging, succor, sustenance, best for the tribe mentality, and extreme support when down, for individualism, technology, narcissism and material wealth. The current US ethos is that individuals matter as much or more than the majority. Institutions that replenished haggard spiritual foundations have been eroded by those who feel threatened by others' beliefs. We have divers beliefs without unity of thought, without a sustaining spiritual foundation and without the nurturing boundaries of a tribe, and are thus alone and subject to all the starkness of our chosen state.
You feed and water a horse. But that’s literally water. There’s hydrated. I keep coming up with something related to quench. I guess beer-ed and the like might be best.
Loved this piece. I’ve experienced this type of hospitality and way of living in South America and had similar questions about what’s missing in the place I call home by virtue of birth.
Thank you for sharing this bite of Hanoi. It nourished me.
Great post, thanks, loving the armchair travel. Interesting thoughts, you’re seeing life as an observer, gives you food for thought. As they say, travel broadens the mind.
As always, so great to feel like I've gained insight from living like a local in Hanoi. I'll be wary of that "constant misery of always comparing yourself to what you might of, or should have been" – Thanks Chris!
Soo good. I experienced the same thing in Turkey.
In Australia we use the word "shout" for when a beer is bought for you e.g. He shouted me a beer 🍺
You list "money, education, safety, freedom". The Americans you refer certainly have more money, and from that they have more freedom and usually more safety, but there truly are many people there, including in some of the areas that you took pictures of that have more education than them; well, as long as we're defining education as knowledge (including of formal subjects) and understanding.
"freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose"
That weird line makes even prison sound good. Meanwhile, freedom of assembly, and freedom to defend families, homes and businesses are being chipped away. Those freedoms are pro-community.
Very nice photos and commentary. The last photo of the people meditating is noteworthy....they are Falun Gong, which has recently caught on in a big way in Vietnam. Over 1m people doing the practice there!
6 Commie flags, two Ho Chi Minhs.
I suspect riding on mopeds—or bikes like in the Netherlands—connects people more to each other and the community. Walking as well.
Cars insulate us but also isolate us.
blows my mind that you walked hanoi of all places – what a beautiful, chaotic city so full of life (and so dangerous for pedestrians haha).
enjoyed reading this piece and really glad i stumbled upon a fellow traveler's writing.
Love this post, I am so happy to have found your page!
We've traded tribal belonging, succor, sustenance, best for the tribe mentality, and extreme support when down, for individualism, technology, narcissism and material wealth. The current US ethos is that individuals matter as much or more than the majority. Institutions that replenished haggard spiritual foundations have been eroded by those who feel threatened by others' beliefs. We have divers beliefs without unity of thought, without a sustaining spiritual foundation and without the nurturing boundaries of a tribe, and are thus alone and subject to all the starkness of our chosen state.
Did you ever write a Part 2 for this? Really great reading, thanks!
You feed and water a horse. But that’s literally water. There’s hydrated. I keep coming up with something related to quench. I guess beer-ed and the like might be best.
Loved this piece. I’ve experienced this type of hospitality and way of living in South America and had similar questions about what’s missing in the place I call home by virtue of birth.
Thank you for sharing this bite of Hanoi. It nourished me.
Great post, thanks, loving the armchair travel. Interesting thoughts, you’re seeing life as an observer, gives you food for thought. As they say, travel broadens the mind.
As always, so great to feel like I've gained insight from living like a local in Hanoi. I'll be wary of that "constant misery of always comparing yourself to what you might of, or should have been" – Thanks Chris!
Wasn't it Janis Joplin who sang "freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose" in Me and Bobby McGee? I've always loved that saying.
YES great reference
Love the photography.