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A passenger on one of my tours had an aphorism he repeated often: “Aren’t we lucky?” I like that. I’ve lifted the adage and put it in my personal list of things to remember. Aren’t we lucky to be alive and to have the opportunities we have? I think so.

I’ve been off-duty for over 2 weeks, splitting my time between Danang where I have a couple friends and Hanoi where I’ve been living with and spending time with my fellow tour leader colleagues and friends. It’s been a great, refreshing break from touring. I feel rested and motivated to get back on the road and lead some tours again. I start my next tour on Saturday evening — fourteen pax for 18 days in Vietnam. I’m psyched.

Last week, we had a two-day tour leader training seminar, led by our senior tour leader. The seminar was great, not just for practical lessons of what we should be doing in our roles as tour leaders but also because it was a great motivator. For me, it clearly showed that I know shit all about the country in which I’m living and working, and that I should get off my ass and start learning.

To that end, I’ve been doing some reading and watching all the Vietnam movies I can get my hand on… The Scent of Green Papaya, Three Seasons, The Quiet American, Vertical Ray of the Sun, Platoon, The John McCain Story, etc. Still have to watch Cyclo. Obviously, movies are an easy way to learn more about the culture. While not as in-depth as a reference book, it leaves more time for that other important aspect of Asian culture –Socializing..

Right, then…. Seasons greetings from warm-ish Hanoi. Hope the season finds you happy, healthy and wiser than last year.

Aren’t we lucky? (Unless of course, you are unlucky.. in which case please disregard appropriate parts of this post.)

Some new pics in flickr

“Stay between the lines and go forward.”

I’m currenty on down-time in between tours and hanging out near china beach in Vietnam. When I’m on tour, there is absolutely no time to think about anything important like writing or keeping up with friends or thinking about life/purpose/direction.

So this bit of downtime is welcome.

To my friends & family, I’m sorry I have been shitty in keeping in touch with you. I miss everyone.

Look for some email or phone calls from me in the coming days.