My friend and I arrived at Sapa, Vietnam, at an altitude of 1650 meters, where the temperature was only 6 degrees Celsius, but it felt quite comfortable. Our local guide, a mother of two children, took us through several small towns. She spoke fluent English but had never received any formal education. She learned everything from tourists since she started working as a guide at the age of thirteen. What truly surprised me was that she had always lived in Sapa and had never been to Hanoi.
I asked somewhat boldly, "Why don't you want to visit the capital city?" She replied, "My husband told me that the traffic in Hanoi is very dangerous." (I vigorously nodded in agreement when I heard this). Besides, I often chat with people who come from outside, so I have a rough idea of what it is like.
This statement made me start paying more attention to myself. For me, similar to her, my understanding of the world often stems from fragments and snippets provided by outsiders, whether through conversations or social media. However, why do I still have an intense desire to travel abroad?
It is probably because through screens, we learn about the culture, food, and ways of life in other countries from a safe distance. Only by actually going there can we truly experience and understand these customs or feel like an outsider. Whether we enjoy it or observe from a distance, it marks the start of self-reflection on where we fit in.
"I never realized I could be so carefree when I'm abroad."
"I never thought that when I encounter injustice during my travels, I might pretend not to see it for the sake of safety."
"I never imagined I would be willing to endure uncomfortable nights at airports and stations just to save money."
So many "I never…" moments have made me evaluate my place in this world, how others see me, and how I feel myself. The concept of "I" is becoming clearer step by step.