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Published: April 26th 2020
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The ancestral temple (Thế Miếu) of Vietnam's emperors. Located inside the Imperial City (Kinh thành Huế).
Cột Cờ
Huế is a city that many visitors often skip. Huế is approximately 400 years old. Relatively young for a city that holds so much history. History of the last ruling Dynasty, The Nguyen Dynasty. It is also the last imperial capital of Vietnam. Huế is located right in the middle of Vietnam and is pretty much the city that divides the north from the south. Beautiful pagodas, rivers and the Forbidden Purple City can be found here. The locals speak with a heavy accent and the food are known to be the best representation of Vietnamese culinary. Huế is also known for its beautiful women. My experience in Huế has been amazing. I spent three weeks there, after deciding that it would be best to spend Tết in Huế. Its not everyday that I get to spend Tết with my uncle and 105 year old Ba Co (great grandma). My stay in Huế also shed some light on my family roots and royal ancestors.
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Đại Nội
Đại Nội, Huế (Inside the Forbidden Purple City)
"It's been almost four months since my departure from L.A. Everything that has happened in the months leading up to now has been a blur. So many travelers, so many stories and so many memories. Its true what they say about humans being adaptable creatures. I was home sick and afraid. All those fear of the unknown has slowly become familiar to me. New places are beginning to look the same as old ones. My worries about what ifs are not as prevalent as before. I have turned traveling into a routine. Initially, I had expectations for each destination and myself, but slowly those expectations dissolved. I'd learned that the less you expect out of life and other people, the happier you'll be. Another difficult adjustment I had made was casual goodbyes. Sure, you meet a lot of cool and interesting people while you travel, but the times you spent with these individuals are impermanent, like all things in life. With all expectations and goals aside, I can truly immerse myself in my present destination. Sooner or later I'll be home and my problems will be there waiting for me..."
Journal Entry: 01.25.2014
Đại Nội, Huế (Inside the Forbidden Purple City)
Chùa Thiên Mụ (Thien Mu Pagoda)
"Here's to looking back at the last ten years of my life. So lonely...so much pain and heartbreak. Chasing after women without much success. Its been a beautiful journey looking back. The tears, of which used to be of heartbreaks and loneliness are now tears of contentment. Who knows what the future holds. At least, now that I know where I've been, I'll have a clearer vision of where I am going...Cheers to life and to all of its joys and sorrows..." Journal Entry: 01.24.2014
Farmland
Tiger Arena: If you didn't think too kindly of Michael Vick and his dog fighting fiasco, then this will not sit well with you. Below is an arena in Hue where tigers and elephant were pitted against one another. Kind of like gladiator, but with tigers and elephants. I would love to have seen one of these events live....
Outside the Tiger Arena
Tết in Huế: It has been over 20 years since my last Tết celebration in Vietnam. Although, the main aspects of celebrating Tết remains the same, a lot has changed as well. As I kid, I remembered it being a lot more festive. Loud fire crackers in the middle of the streets, vibrant neighborhoods filled with laughters and a communal atmosphere. All that has seemingly changed. Adults stays home and kids and young adults are off to the city center with friends. I guess there's still a sense of community. Only it is broader, beyond the neighborhood blocks. Fire cracker has been banned since 1994. A big disappointment for me. I remember sticking fire crackers in cow shit and lighting it. Good times... It has been a nostalgic experience nonetheless.
Saw this around town during Tết.
he didn't stand up to Grampa running his life. He's been bugging me for a bike for the last couple of days. I don't feel like going back to Da Lat for Tet. I don't even know if I can stay at uncle Hung's house for another week. Maybe I'll head up to Hanoi. Who knows what I'll do, but whatever it is, it'll be because its what I want and not because of others. My life is about choices and the results reflects the actions of, which I decide and take. Inaction will cause irritation, but not unhappiness."