When I got home from the movie, it was already 3 a.m.
So I watched some Instagram Reels for a bit. They were full of clips saying there's meaning in doing things every day, people traveling the world posting daily motivation, and people documenting themselves.
It made me strongly feel again how important it is to document your life, and how stories can move people.
I thought, of course I should have started filming from Day 1. But regretting it won't help. So I'll start documenting myself from today. I'm starting from zero followers.
At the same time, I want to post my photos and slowly grow my reach. It's easy to think about, but really hard to do. I end up blaming my lazy personality or travel fatigue. Again I realize how amazing people are who make content continuously while traveling. I'm feeling that difficulty right now.
I woke up, hurried to get ready, and left the hotel. Today is the day I'm going to Vung Tau. I couldn't buy a ticket yesterday, so I decided to go today.
It's about a seven-minute ride from the hotel by motorbike. I arrived quickly. They had told me to come 20 minutes before departure, but before I knew it it was already 15 minutes before. I figured they were probably just saying '20 minutes before' to fit the Vietnamese way of doing things and that things would likely run on their own schedule.
I made it to the boarding area and got on the boat. It was a typical ferry with lots of empty seats. I sat by the window and passed the time watching the scenery.
Maybe because I'm not feeling 100%, a kind of self-criticism shows up. I can't laugh well or smile naturally. It made me realize again how important your physical condition is.
While on the boat I was writing in my journal. The boat cut through the water with big splashes. Watching the spray reminded me suddenly of things my grandpa taught me when I was a kid. Following those memories, I made the two-hour trip.
When I arrived, people immediately called out for motorbikes and taxis. Again, I thought, and kept refusing. For now I bought a return ticket: 320,000 dong, about 1,500 yen.
Then I slowly looked for a hotel and eventually decided to call a taxi with Grab. It turned out to be the same guy who had spoken to me earlier.
It was a bit awkward, but I got on the bike. When I told him I was from Japan he said 'arigatou' in Japanese. He was a really pleasant person and I was relieved. I arrived at the hotel safely and relaxed for a bit.
From today I'll film my diary, so I decided to shoot an honest diary video of myself.
After that I withdrew cash from an ATM and went to a nearby French restaurant. The menu said 'mussel' so I thought it might be cod, but it turned out to be mussels. A huge pile of mussels was brought out. I was a bit worried if I could eat them all, but aside from the ones that didn't open I somehow managed to finish them.
However, some of the shells were cracked and I got a little worried about food poisoning.
I had diarrhea twice right after the meal and wondered if the pho from yesterday got me again. Every time I come to Vietnam I always get diarrhea, so I started to think maybe my body just doesn't agree with it.
After that I headed to a coffee shop Cici recommended — a place that used to be a movie theater and was renovated. The exterior looked like a ruin, but inside it was a proper cafe with lots of tables on the second floor. I worked there and wrote in my journal.
But the humidity was so high I couldn't stop sweating. My body started to throb and I gradually lost focus.
I wondered what on earth I was doing, and suddenly felt lonely.
A rush of emotions and the pressure of 'I have to do this' hit me all at once. I felt a bit down. I wondered how to control excessive expectations.
After that I left the cafe and walked back to the hotel.
I did some work at night and before I knew it it was 2 a.m. I finally got into bed.
I've had a cold for a while now and I don't have any energy. My spirits are a bit low.
Still, I refuse to be beaten by something like this — at least my fighting spirit remains.
I want to get better quickly and properly enjoy the trip.
