Reality

Reality

It's no secret I am having the time of my life. I make my choices based in what I want during my travels, something I wasn't good at in the past. If want I want doesn't hurt someone else then I go for it and do it my way. It leaves me feeling extremely happy and I love it. I don't want to miss out on opportunities and ever regret a thing. I bought a bike over a week ago on a whim. I had talked about it before leaving but it was one of those things that I never believed would en a reality. Something cool that I would never follow their with. When the opportunity presented itself I went for it without a thought. Calling my parents and telling them that evening was an amazingly funny moment.

So here I am leaving Hoi An taking the famous Hai Van pass. We followed the highway for Hoi An to Da Nang and obviously got lost a few times. The road didn't seem too perspective. And the it opened up to a gorgeous zig zag drive. As we climbed the hills the road drops away in my left to sparkling blue waters. 

Breathtaking. I'm not sure even how to describe it. There's a reason why the typical backpacker in Vietnam opts to rent a scooter for the one section of the trip. They do it here because its fun, it's beautiful, and you feel invincible.

Stopping at one of the top points of the hills we take a break at a little stand. Women set these stands upon the hill tops overlooking the water. They transport cold drinks to sell to tourists and most have hammocks strung up to relax on. The stand we chose had the most cheeky women I have ever met. I'll confess to buying two bracelets, one to represent Jenny and one to represent Morgan and my bike trip. A fellow traveler was carrying a guitar and one of the ladies took it and sang the happiest of happy birthday songs I ever witnessed. Glorious and out of tune this woman delivered the performance of a lifetime in my opinion.

There isn't much else to say about the pass other than its beautiful. I loved every single second. Driving had become easy and it was fun to swerve down the mountains. I was on top of the world.

The last stretch of the drive to hue is back to city traffic but I was so happy with the previous drive it didn't bother me.

Then we saw the crowd and bikes and cars stopping. Approaching the congestion that clearly just formed seconds earlier we were greeting with one of the most terrifying scenes of my life that should only belong in movies. Broken glass and groceries were splattered across the road and two motorbikes smashed on the ground. 

I've passed a few car crashes in my life but you never see the bodies and I usually pass them plenty of time after. Also the entire situation is then only handled by medics and cops. Reality is we are not in a western country and things don't operate the same. We stop and assess the scene in dead silence. Men rush to the body that lies face down in the street. A few cars are still moving to keep traffic going. One of the men tending to the body runs to the nearest moving car and taps on the hood. Without a second thought the car stops and another bystander opens the back door.

The body of what appeared to be a middle aged man is then lifted by four people by his arms and legs. He is carried straight to the car and put in the back. Unbelievable. These people don't even stop to think they just act on how to try to save someone's life. No time to wait for ambulances or cops! The most incredible thing was that the first car they tapped immediately dropped whatever they were doing to help this other human being. This would rarely ever happen at home. It could and it might but here it is standard protocol to act towards everyone like you've known them for life.

I'll never know I'd the man survived. In my mind I like to picture him recovering and going home to a family. But the reality is that probably never happened. That day and the image will forever be ingrained in my head. His lifeless and bloody body being carried across the street changed my attitude in many ways for the following days. The pool of blood in the road disturbed me.

First, I know the highway needs to be travelled the least amount possible for safety. Second, I need to be aware always while driving. Third, and most importantly, yes the accident happened on a motorbike which is a slightly dangerous activity but I need to live every second of my life. I can't get time back. Whether it be a motorbike or a random accident time is precious and I need to remember that. The reality is I am alive having an amazing time but anything can change my future in a split second.