To remember is sometimes a challenge. Memories, can be difficult to define. And they may also change due to various circumstances and also over time – months, years and decades. Memories, most probably, shape your daily life, in little, as well as bigger decisions. Because, life is more or less, built on decisions. From dusk to dawn. What clothes am I going to wear today? Does the sun shine today or is it rainy? What would I like to have for lunch? And so on. Western countries problems.

Sometimes you don´t want to remember, but the memories are there weather you like it or not. Right now I think a lot about my voyage to Indochine. I am still thinking about my very first day there. How to get to know a new country. I read a lot before going, but the book is one thing and reality may be something completely different. I also thought a lot about languages since I don´t know any Asian language.

I remember that it was a challenge to cross roads where all the motor bikes were. Very few cars. I learnt that it was very good to have a motor bike. And if you had a bicycle that was a sign to show that you were going to have a motor bike. Often, when I was going to cross a road I saw if there was anyone who also was going to cross the road. Once I met a couple in a really busy street. I though they were from Vietnam, but they rapidly answered “No, we are from Japan, and we are organized”. And they laught.

I like to walk a lot, and I did that on my very first day in Hanoi. I liked the Hoan Kiem Lake a lot. In the Old French Quarter. There was some kind of karma there that I liked a lot. It just felt good to be there. And there was a very cute story about a turtle there, who, a few centuries ago, saved the town from being occupied by China, I think. The turtle is almost holy and they have a little island where they go. The guide said very determined “they go there to relax” and in the same sentence with no words: you should not disturb them. Leave them in peace and harmony so they can continue to protect our city. It was just so cute. I will always remember.

There were always a lot of activities going on around the lake. I saw women dancing, tai chi in the mornings, people walking, talking, having a cup of tea or coffee. Maybe that is why I had this good karma. And rather close to the lake was the Opera where I listened to the beautiful concert. A very good introduction to learn more about Vietnam. Vietnamese village life from a poetic view.

I have had wonderful food during my voyage. A change. Rice every day. And fruit. Fresh fruit. So, to slowly adjust, I continue with Asian kitchen. Today´s lunch was curry chicken. I miss the spicy food, all the fresh vegetables. I suppose, living in Asia, would be paradise for Jamie Oliver. I learnt that food industry put a lot of chemicals in the food to have people consume more food. That is why more people cultivate their own vegetables.

I have met a lot of people. Many nice chats. Excursions. It has not been a holiday on the beach. On the contrary. There is so much I wanted to see. I have read some, to better understand new countries. People, religion, culture, kitchen, languages et cetera.

My first encounter with Asia was Hanoi, Vietnam. And, my very first day there was with woman in focus, which I was recommended. Hanoi was a very romantic town. I liked it a lot. I went to see woman´s museum where I found this citation:

“Women have always played an important role in the defence of the Vietnamese nation. In 40AD the Trung sisters led the battle for independence against the Han Chinese”

When I talked with people from Vietnam the most frequently asked questions where if I was married, if I have any brothers and sisters, and finally, if I have children. What I do to support myself was not interesting at all. Family was, and is, everything that matter.

I searched for good photo moments. From one of the windows in the woman’s museum I found something that reminded me of Paris. France has been in Indochine for many decades, and that is reflected in eg architecture. I visited the prison after women´s museum. Scary.

It was very warm and vivid in Hanoi that very first evening. I was recommended to go to the Opera that I don´t regret. Vietnam has about 54 different ethnic groups of people and the show was representing that. Bambo, but no pandas were present in the show. Very skilled dancers.

So, today, Sunday, I am adjusting myself to Swedish climate. And I am getting back to exercise. There are many munks in Vietnam and Sri Lanka. They often walk to meditate, I learnt. But first, a cup of lovely Sri Lankan tea. From the beautiful highlands.

Yesterday I left beautiful, warm Sri Lanka. I just have to accept that I am back to winter. I like winter, but it was very comfortable with tropical temperature. My voyage has been great. So many memories, and I am also very happy to have reunited with friends in both Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

I have had holiday from writing and that has been good. I will try to remember what I have experienced and I will write about all impressions. So, just a few words tonight.

It is soon the end of December and darkness is turning to more brighter days. At least, the calendar tells me that. The 21th of December. I have made a big change in my life. I have started to have tea instead of coffee. I like coffee a lot, but for me, tea is a little bit healthier.

“Tea began as a medicine and grew into a beverage”

I have traveled some in my life, and one of the best memories are tea plantations in Malaysia. They are so beautiful. And it is amazing that a country can have such climate zones very close. Very warm and humid climate, and then, up in the mountains, much cooler temperature where the tea grows.

Tea is a little like wine. The quality of the leaves depends on e.g. the earth and how high up in the mountains they grow. What kind of leaves are harvested. How the leaves are dried et cetera. Black or green tea. Tea has been a beverage during many centuries, and even more; in China 5000 years ago, used as medicine and also in business. If you had problems with your stomach you had one kind of tea. Headache, another type of tea.

After starting to have tea instead of coffee, my blood pressure has lowered. In the beginning I had huge abstinens accompanied with headache. However, I miss coffee. Soon I will see tea plantations again. And I will also learn something new. How rice is grown in Sapa, in northern Vietnam.