Hanoi!

Time still flies! Sometimes slow, often more quickly. Today my 5th in Hanoi, and clearly it’s New Year's Eve everywhere you look. Flowers, flags, orange trees on the front stoops; others headed that way in the arms of folks on motor scooters. They seem to move faster than the speed of light, faster than my camera, in any case. Though I’m still determined to capture one. Nary an accident have I seen. The secret! Keep on moving. The weave of scooters and people is an intricate cloth.

I am soon off to stay with a Servas family; they have invited me to spend New Year’s Eve and tomorrow with them. A family of four with two young children. I am so so excited!  I wish I had gifts for the kiddos. I typically travel with inflatable world globes and bubbles. Alas, I forgot this time. Instead, I found a bakery and bought macaroons and custard cups with smiley faces. I’m hoping they’ll be well-received.

I think I’ve told many of you about Servas, an organization of worldwide hosts and travelers dedicated to cross-cultural exchange, peace and understanding. DEI, if you will - ☺️. I’ve been a member for 40 years, and once served as secretary of US Servas. One of multiple ways I keep hope alive. Like having you in my life! 

—

Hanoi is surely a city, but I’m fortunate to have a lovely 5th floor apartment on a quiet street but just around the corner from Old Town. There are government buildings all around with soldiers out front, some with serious-looking guns. They are young men, boys really, and I’m tempted to salute, but I just smile and say hello. And today I’ve taken to saying: Chúc mừng Tết Nguyên Đán! (Happy Tet New Year!).

I have discovered many fascinations in Hanoi: Train Street, the Night Market, all decked out in red holiday fare and flowers. iVegan restaurant my go-to but I'm also doing a lot of chilling and being a homebody, including watching a Netflix movie (“American Symphony," which I highly recommend). The first time I’ve had or turned on a TV since I set sail three months ago.

Train Street

Night Market

More later, but I’m off to the showers then into the night!

—

Year of the Horse


The Lunar New Year, which arrives on the 17th, with the New Moon, is a different kind of beginning from the Solar New Year that arrived on the 4th. It is the ceremonial and communal reset – a time we celebrate, gather, and consciously welcome what has already begun. In this way, the Solar New Year initiates the movement of destiny and timing, while the Lunar New Year invites our hearts and intentions to meet it.

In Chinese metaphysics, my sign is the Metal Tiger.

As the Metal Tiger opens the gateway to the Fire Horse Year, we step into a cycle that is bold, awakening, and catalytic. This is not a gentle year. It is a year that asks for courage, truth, and forward movement.

Fire Horse energy carries momentum, visibility, and decisive change, while Metal Tiger brings clarity, confrontation, and the will to cut away what is no longer aligned.

—

Wish me luck! May it be so.
☀️🙏☀️

Richard

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