Sophie Mendel is an avid traveler who has been to over 50 countries around the world . But her most recent trip to Vietnam was more than just an adventure, it was a journey to heal her inner wounds and find herself.
Sophie Mendel’s decision to leave Atlanta and move to Vietnam was a brave one, after breaking up with her fiancé of two years. After going through the emotional fallout of a relationship, Sophie felt lost. The journey to Vietnam became a precious opportunity for her to process these emotions, reflect on her past, and find herself.
Photo of Hanoi by Sophie Mendel.
She also wanted to take back the choice to be alone, and remember that she is strong and capable and can face this alone. Vietnam was the perfect destination for her, as it had so much to explore, from beautiful nature, rich culture, delicious cuisine , to friendly and welcoming people. She trekked solo through the north of Vietnam, from Hanoi to Sa Pa, from Ninh Binh to Ha Long, from Hue to Hoi An.
One of Sophie Mendel's interesting experiences in Hanoi was learning how to cross the street like a Hanoian. She started by crossing the street with a new friend, then became more confident when going alone. Sophie confided, "It's a very strange and interesting feeling when you just walk across the street with the confidence that drivers will avoid you. I had a few near-collision situations, but in the end I was confident and proud of myself."
Sophie Mendel has sampled many of Hanoi's delicious dishes, including pho, bun cha, banh xeo and banh mi. However, for her, iced coffee with milk has become a passion. "I fell in love with iced coffee with milk since the first time I tried it. It was delicious and refreshing, and I loved the way they brewed it with those cute little filters. I drank at least one cup every day," Sophie shared.
In addition, Sophie Mendel was deeply impressed by the majestic beauty of Sa Pa, with its bustling golden rice fields, smooth mountains and clear blue waterfalls. She also made friends with the locals, especially the H'Mong and Red Dao women, who dressed in colorful traditional costumes and sold goods or took tourists trekking. She commented, "I learned a lot about their lives and culture. They are friendly and hospitable, along with ingenuity and creativity."
Sophie Mendel will also never forget her boating experiences in Ninh Binh, when she had the opportunity to admire the beautiful natural scenery with towering limestone mountains, mysterious caves, winding streams and vast rice fields. She was amazed to see the boat captains with their unique foot-rowing skills, an art they learned since childhood.
Sophie said, "I really admire these rowers. They are skillful and strong, always full of joy and enthusiasm. I have an interesting story and they also taught me how to row with my feet."
Sophie Mendel’s journey to Vietnam was not only an adventure, but also a journey of re-initiation and self-discovery. She enjoyed the natural beauty, unique cuisine and hospitality of the Vietnamese people.
This is a story of courage, confidence and positive change, and she hopes that her story will inspire others, especially those going through hardships in life, to dare to step out of their comfort zone and explore the world with themselves.
(According to 24h, September 13, 2023)
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