I came to the realization a few years ago that America is great for making money, but not so great to live (spare me the land of freedom and justice for all bullshit… not getting into the politics of it). I’m talking about living as social human beings, developing trust to build relationships and bond with other people around you, even (or especially) strangers.
My wife and I traveled and lived in Vietnam for much of the last four years. In Vietnam, you live in a village/neighborhood and everyone knows you, from the little kids to the old folks. Their doors are hardly ever locked. Anyone can come over to hang out and eat or have a drink. Over here, I barely know who the fuck my neighbors are. The occasional hello and maybe a few seconds of banter and that’s it. Too busy making money and when not working, detach themselves from reality by going on social media or watch someone else “reality” shows.
My wife and I are lucky that we’re financially secure enough to retire and live in Vietnam comfortably. Before this pandemic hit, we were thinking to do just that... stay there long enough until our eldest daughter goes to college in the states.
Funny that I once longed to live in America by escaping Vietnam, and now I can't wait to go back.
