Vietnam Diaries (Day 4): One Big Community

Being an introvert, traveling on a cruise to Ha Long Bay with a group of strangers didn't exactly evoke a sense of excitement in me.  However, it didn't stoke the anxiety that social gatherings with a group of known people do. The implicit assumption being that I have nothing to lose in such a setting. 

I was the first to be picked up enroute to the Ha Long Bay, following which our group welcomed people from Singapore, Basque Country, Spain, Argentina, Australia, the United States, the UK. Combined with the crew, we had nine nationalities on board in all. 

The Company at Ha Long Bay

During the two days, I had the opportunity to interact with everyone on board. I discovered how one group from the US had travelled from south to north Vietnam over nearly a thousand kms by scooter. Another lady had been travelia the Australasia and South East Asia region since January 2019. I learnt new card game called 'shithead' that is popular in the UK. We explored a bit more about the work we do - I met a retired teacher, an ex-marine, a banker, a singer, a businessman, a swimming instructor, a sound editor, a member of the National Guard, a neuroscientist and a biomedicine researcher, among others. We discussed everyday things - like our typical weekends back home, the food in our respective culture, our shared interests (besides travelling of course). And of course, we discussed a bit more about our perspective on global issues.

Light-hearted banter is a great ice-breaker

Interestingly, there was much more we had in common with one another. We were willing to listen, to debate, to humour, to question and to learn. When I look at the wider world governments, where we are moving away from understanding one another, I thought this group was able to hold a safe space for diverse perspectives. 

Full-time researchers turned full-time travellers

Was it because we were a bunch of strangers who had nothing better to do (no wi-fi is a boon)? Was it because we didn't have to worry about compliance and belonging? Was it because we wanted to feel included in the group? Was the lack of familiarity allowing more scope for vulnerability? Was it because individuals that have experienced different cultures are more open to diverse perspectives? 

I don't know the why, but I definitely know we need more of such experiences. For all the negative things I hear in the news, such experiences help restore the faith in the human endeavour for collective good for all. 

To close out, I am thinking how extraversion is not such a bad thing, if it leads to outrospection. All it takes is a little bit of humility and mutual positive regard.

Tam, our guide, taught us much about Vietnam's history, culture and modern-day challenges over the two days.