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Vietnam just set a record for the hottest day (110 degrees Fahrenheit), and it's only April. It's been unbelievably sweltering, so I am already in a summer-state-of-mind. SO! I am thrilled to announce my "summer plans" and where I'll be starting in May. Drum roll please..... 
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Well, Christmas has come and gone. It was my first time being overseas and away from my family during the holiday season. Can't say I particularly enjoyed it, to be honest. I knew it would be difficult, but even with FaceTime and WiFi, it just wasn't enough. I will probably do everything in my ability to be with family in the future during the holiday season. However, being in the city of expats,  I have been in Vietnam for six months today. FYI, that sentence makes me so happy! It, of course, feels half like I've been here for much longer than that and half like I've just arrived. Six months is a  The other day I was hanging out at a friend's house in Vietnam. We had just put her kids down for their afternoon naps and were talking. Being a freelancer who does not have a 9-5 job means I have the freedom to fill my days with coffee breaks with people or can grab random lunch dates or sit on a couch into the late  I love being in a country when a holiday occurs. It is so fun learning about their customs and traditions that everyone participates in. Tet, or the Lunar New Year, is pretty much the biggest celebration throughout Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia. This year, it  I have officially been in Vietnam for 12 days. Does not feel like that at all. So far, I have met a great community of people through my apartment complex (lots of expats), through friends of friends, through a nondenominational church that hundreds of fellow expats go to, and through Facebook groups. I am working on finding a balance between getting out  Traditional Vietnamese dresses called ao dai Ok, so we are a few days into my new life in Vietnam. I arrived on Friday. Fast forward to Sunday, which was an insanely packed day for me! In the morning, I met with the Canadian family (Roxy, Steve, and their three adopted boys) who have taken me under their wings. I went with them to their nondenominational church where over 200 people attend, majority of them being expats from Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, America, etc. but with a lot of  Picnic with local and expat families I met through the nondenominational church. Traveling can be hard. There's no two ways about it. Being in a place where you don't speak the language, don't know the currency, are on timelines to get to new destinations and relying on unreliable transportation, small things out of your control seem much bigger of a deal, and you get frustrated. HOWEVER, there are still appropriate ways to act.  For me, half the fun of traveling somewhere new is the journey there. I love airports and people-watching and the hustle and bustle of transportation hubs. However, those times can also be stressful and give you anxiety at the start of your trip, which is such a horrible way to begin an adventure! So below are some tips to make your travel days a little easier so you start your journey on a better note! Bon voyage...  As a primarily solo-traveler, I know I will find myself at having drinks with locals, expats, and fellow wanderers. Being able to wish them well and tap glasses is always useful. Click the photo to see different phrases from around the world...  |
AuthorDanielle Desnoyers is a traveling freelance photographer with a focus on humanitarian, travel, and family photography. She currently splits her time between the United States and Vietnam with travels to other countries as well. 
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