Why Vietnam

Biggest question I've gotten once the initial shock wears off: Why Vietnam?

Four words: Anthony Bourdain - Medium Raw

He wrote about pho so well that I have spent over one quarter of the money I made last year to try it.

Also, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone in three distinct ways: Live with no toilet paper, Find out what communism means in modern societies, and Get six million vaccinations.

I will literally be off the map for five weeks. Facebook, Twitter, and most blog/social networking sites are blocked. This blog will hopefully run by e-mails sent to my dad and posted here.

I cannot promise that there will be posts every day, every week, or even at all. If you are family (this includes Kendall & Sarah) you will know who to call to find updates. I will hopefully be able to communicate with Mom&Dad.

I'm on an adventure (I am even bringing my adventure kit) and probably will not miss you. You should not expect presents as I am BROKE. I do, however, promise that if there is a moment that I think of you or wish you could see what I see, I will take a picture of that moment and tell you all about it.

I'm on a get-away. I literally want to get away from: school, work, you(friends&family), and most of all MY CELL PHONE. I am shutting it off April 20th at 7:00a.m. and leaving it at home. Feel free to e-mail either bethany_316@hotmail.com or bethany.r.hansen@gmail.com (not sure which I can use there).

I'm on a journey. I will be independent, self-sufficient, self-reliant. I have no safety net to run to. I will be alone. I will come back different, but the same.

I'm on a trek. I am not bringing practical shoes. I must travel approximately 1146km in 30 days. I'm often too lazy to walk to the Petro Canada across the street.

I'm on a sabbatical. A rest, leave, Sabbath Day. I am going to live in the moment and not worry about the next. I will rest until I finds peace. I will rely in God who has taken care of me since I was a child. And when I'm scared I will remember what my mom taught me when I was so young and so scared of the dark: God will command His angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways. Psalms 91:11 It's the first verse I remember learning, the verse I still whisper to the noises in the dark. I'm not afraid.

I hope that my travel journal does not bore you, but I fully expect that my stories may shock, horrify, and worry you. Thank you for your support. I'm just over a week away and it's starting to sink in. Keep sending your prayers, well wishes, and good thoughts my way.

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
 -Dr. Seuss