Blue Christmas

Blue is my favorite color.

But I never thought that this would also describe my Christmas this 2010.

Unexplained sadness is what I am feeling after my trip in Vietnam. It's Christmas when I went back to the Philippines from Vietnam, and many might say that I should be happy since I will be back with my family, with my friends. But there is something, a great something, that Vietnam made me experienced that make me realize my value and a different me.

Top of the mind is its cold temperature of Hanoi. It has been my dream to get to a place wherein I can wear anything that I want. To wear the jackets, the thick shirts that I have been long stored inside my cabinet. The people were so fashionable, that one will find it difficult to identify a professional to an ordinary vendor. Perhaps, the coldness of the place is also a factor why most people seemed not hot-headed, even if its heavy traffic (a scenario that is very far from the Philippines).

The prices of the goods in Hanoi are also cheap compared to the Philippines. The place where I lived is strategic and it has many stores that sells numerous bags, shirts, jackets, souvenirs and many more. I even bought a North face bag whose price is 4 times lower than its price when bought in the Philippines. Not to mention are the tasty foods whose serving is almost double than the usual in the Philippines for a relatively low price. Perhaps, my only complaint is the absence of free drinking water in most restaurants.

But the most important gift that Vietnam gave me are headaches I had to endure with my Vietnamese, Malaysian and Taiwanese friends. But kidding aside, I will never ever forget the fun, the laughter and most importantly the friendship. I felt something different, something unexplainable with the kind of companionship that these people made me experienced. Something new that I've never had before with my friends in the Philippines. It seemed like they are the "barkada" that I wished for many years. With them, I feel I am free to express what I want without hesitation. They did not made me feel the bad sides of me. Perhaps, people might say that of course, you're with them for a short two weeks hence only the good sides are what you have seen. But nonetheless, still I would say that for that short two weeks I feel valuable and respected.

Among them is a person who I did not expect would mark in my life, the person whom I can consider my best friend (perhaps he knows who he is). I do not know but with this guy, I feel that I can trust him. Although he dos not speak too much, he always listen and shares opinions during conversation. He is a good companion and is very dependable and helpful. Although he seems boring, but with this guy, you would know that he is also... what is English term for "makulit", oh yes "makulit". He has a hidden humor, and that made him for me good in conversation. I feel really really sad that this had to be cut by the need to go back.