I find myself thanks to travelling

by Binh Le (Vietnam)

A leap into the unknown Myanmar

Years ago, I met a few travellers in my city of Hanoi, Vietnam. They came to open my eyes about a world that I had never heard before – a world of nomads and travellers. Oh wow, I felt like they were telling me about another planet that I have never step my feet on. I, then, talked to myself “they can do it?! Why can’t I?”. I decided to give it a try though I was aware that that way of travelling would throw me into journeys of uncertainty or adventure. In return, it would be a chance to develop the problem solver in me and for my personal growth. As a girl born in a traditional family in Vietnam, my parents and siblings had tightly protected me. I had been nurtured in such a safe and easy world. I had no clue at all how I would handle this, but for sure I would need to do it at any cost. Immediately, I booked a ticket to Burma – a 10-day trip with New Year eve celebration away from home. I borrowed 200 USD and that’s the way I would force myself to be on budget and carried a small backpack, which would help me to commute from one to another place easily. A totally different me was created right at that moment. I left my country with a simple motto “go there, check and make up my mind – nothing fixed”. During the trip, I ate simple food, stayed in hostel and shared transportation with other travelers I met along the way and took night buses. Normally the night bus would arrive at the dawning of the following day. However, the night bus from Yagoon to Bagan – the home of all beautiful temples got there at 2 am. I was alone in the darkness of local bus station when the whole village was still sleeping. There were just a few tourists on that bus, me and other fellows that I did not know. I made a quick observation and gauge of the situation that they did not have any idea of where to go as well. An idea sparkling in my head that I had to select between two equal risks to take, I would choose to talk to the three guys other than being alone in the local bus station till the sunrise. Both scared me out. Quickly after the greetings, I joined this group. We walked into the village and knocked every single door to check if they had available room. We finally found only one, which had one single bed and two double beds, simple blankets included, and hot shower. Nothing more, Nothing less. At very that moment, that’s all I needed in life. I shared the room with three guys who were still strangers to me. This had never happened to me before. I had not no time and energy to think, worry, or panic actually – my budget and tiredness spoke for me. We checked in the room silently and went straight to beds. I woke up in the next morning and could see their faces clearly enough and my guts told me that I was safe. We shared that room for three nights. It turned out the best New Year’s Eve ever in my traveling life. We got together in the only bar open in Bagan at that night and exchanged our culture of celebrating New Year eve. We cheered and talked till the clock ticked at 12, we made a toast for our best wishes come true in the New Year. At the very special moment, I felt deeply grateful for the adventure that I determined to take. It marked my first time of being a solo traveller to a foreign country that did not only bring about splendid memories but also a life-changing experience. My heart is open to warmly embrace kindness and hospitality of people and extend my trust to others and myself. For me, to travel is to find the way back to my self-ness inside out.