Moving half way across the world changes you. It’s arguable it changes your “soul.” (We have no soul according to my atheist dad but, who knows!) For me, moving here made me feel like I was pressing the “start” button again. Not like I had an epiphany or found my center like those millennial expats would say (I was born in ’88, I know this) but I really felt like I could do some shit here. For example, I flirted with the idea of doing open mic. I flirted with the idea of practicing yoga 3xs a week. A b*tch be changin out here. And that’s how I ended up going on a weekend trip with a complete stranger as a first date. Les go to Ninh Binh.
Ninh Binh is a short trip from Hanoi. About 3 hrs away via train. And for real for real, the trains are decent AF.
I have an irrational fear of caves. Really it ain’t irrational. Hmmm, let’s go into a deep black hole in the earth. What could go wrong? But, remember, a b*tch be changin out here so my ass was all in some caves with the bats and all.
This trip was my first exposure to a legit Vietnamese Pagoda (Bai Dinh Pagoda). It was beautiful. It is hella big and just so much intricate detail.
Funny enough, you’re not suppose to touch the Buddhas but obviously everyone and they momma don’t follow the rules!
Ninh Binh is such a convenient day/weekend trip from Hanoi. I seriously don’t know why I don’t do it more often. In my younger days (no spring chicken anymore) I used to fantasize about living in a big, dirty city like New York. Now that I’m old, I just can’t be bothered with big cities. Shit, Hanoi can be exhausting sometimes!
Les Go... 