The excitement of traveling from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City marked the beginning of an international experience that would quickly put our class into the stretch zone as we navigated the visa process at the international terminal in SFO.
The 16-hour flight from there to Taipei was long, grueling, and—let’s be honest—uncomfortable at times. Yet, it became an early metaphor for our International Seminar in Southeast Asia. Spending that much time in the air, surrounded by fellow classmates, allowed for moments of reflection and curiosity on the journey ahead.
Landing in Taipei was like stepping into a new world. The airport itself was a reflection of the fascinating blend of modernity and tradition we would encounter on our trip. Walking through its terminals, we caught glimpses of vibrant Taiwanese culture, full of new cuisines as well as some hometown favorites that brought us comfort.
As we exited the airport to board our bus and meet our tour guide JD, we were smacked in the face with the tropical climate. The humidity was like nothing we were used to living in California, but we remembered to zoom out and appreciate this amazing opportunity before us. The driving experience was also quite different, a place where street lights do not exist and road signs appear to be mere suggestions rather than laws.
As we descended into Ho Chi Minh City, the excitement was impossible to ignore and we were ready for whatever South Asia had in store for us. Armed with the resilience gained from long flights, unfamiliar environments, and the connections formed within Class 53, we stepped into this new chapter with open minds and open hearts.Approximately 12 million people live in the 16 Urban Districts, 5 Rural Districts, and one municipality (a sub-city) of the 807 square miles of Ho Chi Minh. The city is a labyrinth of people, people on scooters/mopeds, and a few cars. There are 8 million scooters/mopeds in the city and yet you can feel their ability to synchronize with one another- it’s unbelievable! While the city is crowded with people, the energy and movements are efficient and effective. One cannot help but be fascinated by the ease and chaos of their movements through this diverse city.
The city dates back to the late 1600’s and the historical architecture is sprinkled throughout the city. We visited the Thien Hau Pogoda that was built in the 1760’s by Chinese Immigrants. We immersed ourselves in the Chinese culture of the Pagoda, with each member of our class lighting incense and sending a prayer. The incense burning were beautiful, especially the incense rings that hung from the ceiling. This was our first opportunity to embrace a different culture and religion.
It was Sunday and the Tan Dinh Market was a bit quiet, but the Tan Dinh Catherdral was bustling with parishioners attending Catholic Mass. We were able to spend some time at the market trying fresh fruits and local coffees, experiencing first hand the culture of the city. We learned to navigate crossing the road with the vast traffic of the scooters/mopeds. We were told “Close your eyes, and go!” We it into practice as “Be confident and walk with a purpose!”, a lesson Dr. Joe Sabol taught many of us too.
The City architecture has had many influences that have shaped it since the late 1600’s. As the capital of French Indochina from 1887-1902 and again in 1945-1954, there great French influence. The Saigon Central Post Office was originally designed by Gustavo Eiffel, whom designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris, but had to be redesigned due to the increased demand of the Postal System. Around the Post Office was a night life of children and families, enjoying their evening together.
We finished our day with a traditional Vietnamese dinner and a monsoon! Bellies full and soaked from the monsoon, we reflected on the days of travel we had and our introduction to Vietnam, we felt the same energy and buzz of the city. We are eager to learn and grow in our days ahead.
Gratefully,
Kristi, Joe and the members of Class 53
