See you, Saigon Part III
Note: As mentioned, these are recollections of what happened more than 4 (!!) years ago since past Alexia was too lazy to finish blogging.
Now my last day in Saigon. I should say this whole time I've been a little stressed trying to plan out how to get my tattoo. I originally planned to get it while I was in Hanoi so my volunteer coordinators can take me to a trustworthy place. But I thought better of it since I'll be swimming etc. It was really important that I get this tattoo when I was in Vietnam - mainly for the story (when I turned 21 and was traveling solo in Vietnam blah blah. I should also point out that now that I'm 25 (!!!) 👀 I also did something for my 25th birthday which I'll keep a secret...for now hehe). Prior to my trip I didn't really have the idea of what the tattoo would look like. I knew the inspiration was E.E. Cummings 'Carry You Heart' poem - I had the verse printed out and taped to my mirror for the whole school year:
So back to me in Saigon. I didn't account for the family aspect of it. They - like any hosting family- wanted to make sure I was having a good time. They also say they wouldn't even travel Vietnam by themselves. So I had to figure out how they could let me go out on my own. I found a reputable tattoo place (ain't tryna get that hep c). It was a gamble to not make a reservation - I honestly didn't even think about an alternative plan; it wasn't an option. I HAD to get one. So I had to ask my aunt for some time alone to walk. Of course, she insisted on someone accompanying me and I insisted on going alone. Luckily she conceded and let me go. One of my uncles gave me a ride on his motorbike to downtown. It was still probably a mile or so walk but I got to do some nice site seeing.
^^so happy I could capture a proud moment ^_^ lawlz
So I arrive to the tattoo place and luckily they are able to fit me in! For an idea of what I want...I showed them a picture of Rihanna cause she has a constellation of stars on her upper back. Guess I have some inner RiRi in me to go along with my inner Yunce
I'm not sure if this was when the idea where my tattoo came into place, but I asked for 6 stars on one side - 2 black and one non filled, and one red outline and yellow filled star on the other side. Stars for my family and to represent Vietnam. It was pretty surreal. When people ask me if it hurt - I honestly don't remember the pain - I'm sure it did hurt a little bit but I was in shock the whole time. And I asked one of the other tattoo artists to take a pic with my phone.. and while she was taking a picture my aunt called! I had to lie and say I needed like an hour more to walk around. That part had me a little nervous. When it was done, I got picked up and had my last dinner with the family. I didn't even have time to relish that I got my first tattoo! During dinner, I was feeling extra conspicuous but I left my hair down which was already unusual. When turned to talk to someone or get food, one of the aunts - the youngest sister noticed it and asked if it was new. BUSTED. So I told them, and told them what it meant and why I didn't want to tell them before it happened - not wanting to put them in a bad position of deciding whether to tell my parents or getting in trouble with them by not telling.
After dinner, I got a sweet haircut (a rare time where I walk away from haircut feeling good - also probably had to do with feeling fresh after spending 4 weeks in Vietnam heat) from a family friend that apparently worked with famous people? Anywhoo that was the last day and shortly after I went to the airport. I really liked how convenient everything was. In the morning, my aunt asked what I wanted for breakfast and I said iced coffee (vietnamese iced coffee is delicious!) and pho since I knew I was going to leave soon. We didn't make moves to go anywhere so I thought she was busy at the moment, but a few minutes later, two different people came over to drop off the food and drink - not even take out style but like actually serve me -bowl and all- then take it away! I wish I spent more time in HCM so I can hang out with family and look at more sites. Til next time! Now off to Seoul!!!!
Now my last day in Saigon. I should say this whole time I've been a little stressed trying to plan out how to get my tattoo. I originally planned to get it while I was in Hanoi so my volunteer coordinators can take me to a trustworthy place. But I thought better of it since I'll be swimming etc. It was really important that I get this tattoo when I was in Vietnam - mainly for the story (when I turned 21 and was traveling solo in Vietnam blah blah. I should also point out that now that I'm 25 (!!!) 👀 I also did something for my 25th birthday which I'll keep a secret...for now hehe). Prior to my trip I didn't really have the idea of what the tattoo would look like. I knew the inspiration was E.E. Cummings 'Carry You Heart' poem - I had the verse printed out and taped to my mirror for the whole school year:
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart
(i carry it in my heart)
Throughout my travels, it started to take shape. I wanted it to connect to the poem and also Vietnam since my time there had been so inspirational. I wanted the tattoo to serve as a reminder of that inspiration, to not lose that feeling of seeing the world and being amazed by it. I don't remember the exact moment of how I decided what the tattoo would look like - and why I never talked about it in previous posts cause I wasn't sure how I would tell my parents.So back to me in Saigon. I didn't account for the family aspect of it. They - like any hosting family- wanted to make sure I was having a good time. They also say they wouldn't even travel Vietnam by themselves. So I had to figure out how they could let me go out on my own. I found a reputable tattoo place (ain't tryna get that hep c). It was a gamble to not make a reservation - I honestly didn't even think about an alternative plan; it wasn't an option. I HAD to get one. So I had to ask my aunt for some time alone to walk. Of course, she insisted on someone accompanying me and I insisted on going alone. Luckily she conceded and let me go. One of my uncles gave me a ride on his motorbike to downtown. It was still probably a mile or so walk but I got to do some nice site seeing.
^^so happy I could capture a proud moment ^_^ lawlz
So I arrive to the tattoo place and luckily they are able to fit me in! For an idea of what I want...I showed them a picture of Rihanna cause she has a constellation of stars on her upper back. Guess I have some inner RiRi in me to go along with my inner Yunce
I'm not sure if this was when the idea where my tattoo came into place, but I asked for 6 stars on one side - 2 black and one non filled, and one red outline and yellow filled star on the other side. Stars for my family and to represent Vietnam. It was pretty surreal. When people ask me if it hurt - I honestly don't remember the pain - I'm sure it did hurt a little bit but I was in shock the whole time. And I asked one of the other tattoo artists to take a pic with my phone.. and while she was taking a picture my aunt called! I had to lie and say I needed like an hour more to walk around. That part had me a little nervous. When it was done, I got picked up and had my last dinner with the family. I didn't even have time to relish that I got my first tattoo! During dinner, I was feeling extra conspicuous but I left my hair down which was already unusual. When turned to talk to someone or get food, one of the aunts - the youngest sister noticed it and asked if it was new. BUSTED. So I told them, and told them what it meant and why I didn't want to tell them before it happened - not wanting to put them in a bad position of deciding whether to tell my parents or getting in trouble with them by not telling.
After dinner, I got a sweet haircut (a rare time where I walk away from haircut feeling good - also probably had to do with feeling fresh after spending 4 weeks in Vietnam heat) from a family friend that apparently worked with famous people? Anywhoo that was the last day and shortly after I went to the airport. I really liked how convenient everything was. In the morning, my aunt asked what I wanted for breakfast and I said iced coffee (vietnamese iced coffee is delicious!) and pho since I knew I was going to leave soon. We didn't make moves to go anywhere so I thought she was busy at the moment, but a few minutes later, two different people came over to drop off the food and drink - not even take out style but like actually serve me -bowl and all- then take it away! I wish I spent more time in HCM so I can hang out with family and look at more sites. Til next time! Now off to Seoul!!!!
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