City Girl and a Backpack

Preparations for a Journey Through Northern Vietnam

📍Hanoi, Vietnam

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To make sure I didn't miss out on my vacation (which is basically my life), I researched attractions in Hanoi and kept coming across 'The Loop' – a three-day motorcycle tour in the northern region of Vietnam. Every traveler I met and all the posts in Facebook groups unanimously said it was an experience not to be missed.

As I went between different travel agencies comparing prices and offers, I came across a Facebook post about "Infinity" company. The writer mentioned he had a great time, everything was well-organized, and their groups were international – which really appealed to me. I just hoped the swelling in my eye wouldn't be a problem.

Because of the eye swelling, I thought it would be a good idea to switch back to the brown lenses for my smart glasses – the original lenses that might blur reality a bit, at least in photos. Even though I'd changed lenses before, it was still incredibly stressful. One of those scenes where the hero needs to cut either the red or blue wire to defuse the bomb, with dramatic music playing in the background that makes your blood pressure rise sharply.

After a few attempts, I succeeded! And along the way, I even cleaned the glasses with cotton and micellar water. Okay, okay, now I got your message, dear universe – an eye infection isn't clear enough, maybe the problem was with the glasses all along. Or maybe... with me?

When I saw photos of myself with the glasses and the interchangeable lenses, sometimes I just looked... nerdy to myself. Yes, there are still things that bother me about myself, like everyone else, and I think it will always be that way. Maybe things will even be added to this list over the years, but I choose to love myself together with this list, and not let it make me hesitate.

I took my eye drops (and a backpack!) and set off.

Funny how after 32 years, I'm finding myself a real backpacker for the first time, with an actual backpack. I never understood the concept – why carry all your gear on your back when you could simply roll a suitcase? But now I understood – when you leave the central cities and reach rural areas, a suitcase simply doesn't work on dirt paths and rough roads.

Before heading out for 'The Loop,' I took advantage of the free morning to run some errands downtown. My pickup for the Loop was supposed to be from there, so it made sense to spend the hours before in the center. One thing on my list was getting my nails done. It was time. That's how it is when you depend on it.

Every time I enter a beauty salon, I think about this thriving business and the fierce competition it faces. The business owner greeted me – it's not hard to identify the person in charge, the one giving instructions to everyone, and it's evident that service is a supreme value for her. When I showed her the design I wanted (the one I saw on Google), she immediately blushed like a little girl and said: "I did that one."

Great, I thought to myself, so I'll definitely know what I'm getting. It's common to show nail technicians design photos, but there's no guarantee it will turn out like the original.

Time passed pleasantly, and after chatting a bit, the owner asked me and the other girls in the salon if we were hungry, saying she was ordering food.

"Actually yes, I haven't eaten yet 😅" I replied, while everyone else said "no thank you."

Oh, awkward. Maybe she was just asking out of politeness and didn't expect me to say yes? And also, how would I know if I'd like the food? I am a picky eater after all. Well, I already said yes, because who am I to refuse free food?

She stepped outside for a moment and returned, and after a few minutes someone arrived with a popular Vietnamese sandwich they call "Banh Mi" (which also simply means "bread"). The baguette contained an omelet, sausage, plenty of cilantro, and a coleslaw with sweet sauce.

I could say it's not something I would order for myself, but that's exactly why I appreciated this adventurous spirit. And it was amazing!

Then I realized that only I received a sandwich, and she didn't even order one for herself. When I asked her about it, she said she believes in giving back and always offers food to her customers: "Eat it all, it's okay, we'll continue when you finish," she said calmly.

I ate quickly, because I generally eat rather fast, and we continued. In the end, this fun day at the salon took me 4 hours. I understood exactly why one Google review said that "the owner is lovely, she pays attention to the smallest details."

I left satisfied, but a bit exhausted. I paid a not-so-cheap price (mainly because of the design) – ₪115 for nail extensions and a gel pedicure. Yes, I know that in Israel it would cost much more, but I'm already living by East Asian standards, and here it's not a small amount.

With perfect nails and glasses with the right lenses, I was ready to start the adventure. In my next post, I'll tell you about the luxurious limousine I rode for 6 hours to begin the Loop – and about the breathtaking landscapes and fascinating people I met along the way.

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Who Am I? | The Journey Through Time | The Daily Journey

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