There's no place like home...there's no place like home...there's no place like home

This is it...the LAST official post on our Saigon Sortie blog is here!  I left with a teaser in the last post mentioning that we were shortly moving back to the USA!  We are officially back, shipment from Vietnam in casa and working on blending back into American normalcy.  At first it was the excitement about what car to get (!!), near daily trips to Trader Joes and Target, and enjoying walks with Ginger (not fearing dog-napping).  I had a hard time trying to remember that we were not on a “holiday” (I shouldn’t be binging on my favorite foods every day) and then of course there is all the fun of phone plans, insurance, wifi, moving, changing addresses…etc, etc. 

In a weird way its almost like we never left.  It has been easier than I thought to blend back in, but there are certainly aspects of daily life that I compare/contrast.  For sure it’s the price differences on just about everything…I find myself saying “how much?!” way too often.  Woes of a developed country!  Then there are really surprising events like lines.  And even more surprising when people stay in line.  Or when traffic yields to pedestrians?!  Then there is that weird way that Americans allow for personal space.

Lines are one of those unwritten rules that we all follow on an almost daily basis-right? You get in line by standing behind the last person currently there.  Then you wait your turn in a generally orderly fashion. Simple enough.  I rarely thought about how well the line method worked until I was confronted with a dysfunctional line (aka-line in Asia). It's not that there isn't such a thing in Vietnam or I didn’t stand in them daily-It's almost as if they would look at a line and think, ‘oh, but that cannot possibility be something I need to do’ and step in wherever may be most convenient for them while looking around obliviously like ‘why are all these people standing around in my way?’  Sometimes I knew they did it because they didn't think I was going to say anything (or they would just pretend to not understand me when I did confront them shaking their hands back and forth which by now I assume means "I’m going to pretend I don't know what you mean because I can" versus baby sign language which means “I’m full”…it can get confusing…)  Clayton has almost literally picked one or two ladies up placing them out of the line and pointing to the back (though they generally would just file in right behind us instead). At other times depending on where you were on the never ending Asia culture shock roller coaster it could involve a gentle tap on the shoulder to loud outbursts and frantic waving. None of which seemed to uproot them or particularly bother them because of course the line is not for them.  When in Rome...do as the Romans do? However, by this time we have seen all of Curb Your Enthusiasm and it was far more entertaining instead to use the rule: WWLDD (What would Larry David do?) So, Clayton would entertain himself with a few of the following:

1) Standing in line, but not moving forward until absolutely necessary. The Vietnamese also have an annoying tendency to crowd you in while in line thinking that the less space there is between the front of the line and them the better, regardless of the actual number of people. It's very entertaining to watch them huff and puff, try to crane around you and push you forward. But that would be like trying to move a concrete statue-their 5'2" frames don't hold a candle to Clayton the Intolerant.

2) Getting out of the airplane isle when the plane lands and actively blocking all those behind from barging forward before all those in the seats to your right and left have had the chance to flee. The sheer pressure and grumbling that builds up behind Clayton is a sight...try it next time you fly to Asia!  It does become somewhat difficult as the seatbelt signs apparently don't apply to them. The minute the plane is on the ground all you hear is a clatter of seatbelts unfastening and overhead doors opening. By the time we even start taxing to the gate they are crammed into the isles. I think the flight attendants have simply given up trying to get them to stay seated until the captain has turned OFF the sign. To get out we literally have to physically hold back the hordes that are pushing out. You would think there was a fire...every time we landed. But the really frustrating part is as soon as they have fled the actual plane itself and are on the boarding ramp their pace changes to snail crawl and you would be surprised how oblivious they are to anyone wanting to pass.  Really miss that…these polite American flights are just too predictable.

3) Facing death with a march across the Saigon streets. A must do though is to arrogantly hold out your hand to any oncoming traffic and point like you mean it. It's rare that I actually really feel like I am in any serious danger crossing the street, but my heart always skips a few beatings as I take my first step into the mobs of unorganized traffic and motorbikes heading my way. One of our friends, even after 2 years of living here found himself being hand led across the street by a 70 year old lady after hesitating a bit too long. Guess she must have felt sorry for him because he said she was laughing the whole way!

For all the fuss moving back has been, it has been equally exciting and sad at the same time.  It’s always difficult to say goodbye, but it was especially difficult leaving Vietnam.  When we left Oregon, we knew we would be back in the US yearly and eventually would be moving back…but for Vietnam…that was not as clear.  The friends you make as expats are more like your family and saying goodbye, not knowing when the next time you will see them again was heartbreaking.  Hands down the WORST part of being an expat.  All the other stuff ranges from exciting to manageable headache. 

We did manage to use Clayton’s birthday as an excuse for one last Asian adventure to Chiang Mai, Thailand (northern Thailand).  He rented a motorcycle (was the ONLY time we did that in Asia) and we rode up into the foothills surrounding Chiang Mai, stopping at a temple, taking some pictures, and buying a few keepsakes from the local Hmong tribes.  

We also spent a day at Patara Elephant Farm participating in their “Elephant for a day” program.  We first learned a bit about what a healthy elephant looks like (and what their poo feels like, looks like and smells like…turns out its important with all creatures), then gave them a quick rub down and shower.  The majority of the day was spent walking/riding them on a hike to the river where they got an official bath (which we excitedly joined in for) and an amazing picnic lunch.  The day ended with meeting the babies of the farm and watching them interact with each other.  I actually had no idea what to expect but they act just like any other baby!  They climb all over everything and everyone, collide and run into things, stumble over anything in their path, roll around in the water and irritate the adults.  So cute!  It was an unreal experience…though I’m sure animal rights activists would likely be speechless at the amount we were able to do with our “own” elephant.  However I genuinely felt like it was an amazing way to learn about these creatures.  An elephant really never forgets!!  Mine jogged right over to me after lunch (of course I had a few treats for her…) but she knew exactly who I was.  I can’t say I was AS excited to see a fully grown elephant jogging towards me-it was a bit unnerving.  But I do have to say that I hope I NEVER forget!

Unfortunately I can’t (yet) call Portland home.  I was accepted into a sports medicine residency program in Boise, Idaho and will be located there for the next year.  The good news is that following the program I will be able to call myself a board certified specialist in sports medicine.  Bad news is that I get paid ½ as much.  I call it an investment!  Clayton calls it ridiculous on all accounts: moving away from Portland, taking Ginger with me (that’s most of it), taking a job that doesn’t pay well…  But for all his arguments, he has been a good sport about it (no pun intended-ha!!)  I said, ‘it’s like having a vacation home for him…in Boise, ID!’

He has very quickly adjusted to life back on “Nike campus”.  He is now working in the innovation category-which from what I can understand is like the future of Nike industry.  Oooohhhh.  But according to what he says, it appears that he really loves his new job.  Many perks like adequate air conditioning (he no longer needs a fan at his desk), great lunches (compared to the mystery Asian factory cuisine-very small chance of parasites here), and a creative/innovation atmosphere (whatever you need to spark creativity!)

Maybe we will call Asia home again someday…who knows!  But until then-we are excited to call America HOME once again!