Goodbye

There are historical events that are actually not far away – in terms of time, I mean. They happened less than 50 years ago or even during the time when I was already in the world, but they feel like stories from light-years away. Simply because I have no active memory of them. The Vietnam War is one such example: it only ended 50 years ago – and yet, yes, perhaps also because of the geographical distance – it feels light-years away.

On my very last day in Vietnam, this history suddenly comes very close. Just like it did at the Củ Chi tunnels, but today it feels even more direct, closer, more impressive. At the 'War Remnants Museum', which deals exactly with this dark past. All Google reviews advise against bringing children – and it's quickly clear why.

There are exhibits: weapons, recreated prison cells, a guillotine. But above all, there are: photos. Many photos. Photos of everything.

And at some point, you just stand there, astonished, speechless, perhaps also helpless, in the middle of this flood of images, this documentation of cruelty. I find no suitable words. Maybe there simply aren't any. Was it a good idea to do something like this on the last day? Probably not. But when is the right time to confront such things?

And so I stand there, with a full head and a heavy heart, at the end of this journey.

A part of me would have liked to delve even deeper – into this fascinating, contradictory country. There is so much to discover, so much to understand and learn. After almost 4 weeks, I still cannot say 'Thank you' properly in Vietnamese. And at the same time, as always when I am away, this quiet pull within me grows, calling me home. I am looking forward to being back home. To conversations without screens, hugs, my own pillow. Even though the dear dog looked at me pleadingly during my last meal here, begging me not to go (I hope I am interpreting that correctly, right?).

As always, everything can coexist, even simultaneously. That’s why I leave a part of myself here and take a new version of myself home with me. Alongside all the many impressions. Thank you, you wonderful people, for reading and accompanying me!