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Aéroport Tunis Carthage, June 15, 2013 As we are we touch down on Tunis airport, houses of white and blue spreading on a bed of bare, dessert-looking field spark the feeling of an unusual yet exciting journey ahead. The overall mood is that of another in-between country, struggling to link the rich & colorful past with the light-year speed into the future. Tunis airport is a tiny, old and run-down airport. Blue by no surprise is the overall color tone of the place. “VISA” so it says with an arrow pointing left on the signboard. That’s obviously where I am heading. Visa on arrival is always an interesting experience wherever one goes. Anything can go wrong at an airport and I am well-prepared to welcome any of such incidents though it would be a tough job to justify 11 hours of flying and 6 hours of waiting in transit just to arrive at this smallest country in North Africa. OK Tunisia, here I come! There’s no queue at the visa counter. That’s kinda unusual for a country offering visa on arrival. Wherever else I’ve been, long queues are the common sight at visa counters. Well, at least there is a visa counter. Always look on the bright side of life! A middle-aged, overly made-up lady sits quietly behind the counter as I approach. “I need a visa, please!” I open the conversation. “What country?” asks she without even looking at me, nor my passport. “Australia” I reply “How many days?” she asks “3 days” I reply “100” she says “Can I pay in USD or credit card?” I continue as I obviously have no Tunisian dollars on me. “No”, says the lady in a harsh cold voice. “Where can I change money then?” That seems like a logical question I guess. The lady says nothing, gets ahold of my passport, takes out a small stamp and a scrap piece of paper, stamps on it, writes the word “USD” underneath the stamp and gives it to me. “After the counter” she says, “and come back here to pick up your passport”. I look around. The only counters are the customs counters. Well, you can’t miss it. And so I line up at the customs counter in search for my money changer! Well, at least I know for sure that I can get a visa. Anything else should be trivial. As I stand in line, a Chinese guy behind starts a conversation and asks me why I am in Tunis. I obviously un-mistakenly look Chinese. When I tell him I am here for meetings with some partners in the coffee business, he immediately responds “You must sell cheap coffee!” I look at him, smiling. Africa and cheap, the guy seems to know how to join the dots huh? In return, he tells me he is here to look around for opportunities. We never have time to finish a conversation but I am sure he’s got some low-cost projects hanging in the air. It’s my turn and I approach the customs counter, confidently placing the scrap piece of paper on the counter. “I was told to get out and change money for my visa”, I say. The customs lady gives no look at myself, nor my scrap evidence of authority, yet nods her head. That’s it? Wow, that’s easier than I thought! As I put my carry bag through the security scanner, a few security staff is busy chatting, laughing happily as the conversation goes. One guy looks up as I pass the gate, gives me a huge smile and asks “USD?”. I return him with an equivalent huge smile and reply “yeah”. Hmmm, this USD business seems like a common thing here after all. There is a money changer on the left as I walk out to the baggage area. Unfortunately, the sign in front says “Closed”. What now? “This is getting kinda messy” I think to myself. Such time calls for patience. I smile and try to keep calm as I approach a security guard to ask for help. To my surprise, he smiles and points out to the exit door. “You can find many outside”, he says. This is cool! This is the first time I ever get out into a country without a passport. There’s always a first in anything you encounter on a life journey. It can be fun or it can be super annoying, depending on your attitude I guess. As I walk out to the waiting area, eyes of curiosity are on this Asian girl with a small carry bag, happily walking out in leisure, ready to take on anything waiting ahead. Like any other airport, people sit, stand, wait, and hurry around. Judging by the look, most of them are either from the Middle East or neighboring African countries. “Money first”, I remind myself of my mission as I easily get distracted by the foundational interest in observing the world around. There are about 6 money changers in front of the exit and my God!, they are all placed with long queues. Wow, this seems like a thriving business in Tunis. It takes almost half an hour in line just to get the money changed. The only thing that keeps me entertained while waiting is an old, black African Muslim guy sitting at the opposite coffee shop, looking all quiet, miserable, patiently waiting by his coffee. He does not seem to move much. For an instance, he reminds me of the lady who turns into a rock statue waiting for her never-returning husband from the war in a Vietnamese legend. As he patiently waits, I get my money changed and walks back in. I find it amusing making that re-winding trip back to the visa counter. Who gets to enter a country twice in one go? The lady gets her TND100 and I get my visa and passport back. Fair trade! “Don’t forget to check in at customs!” she reminds me. How’s that for a reminder? If I can get past customs without a passport, I certainly can get past it once again with one I guess. What an experience! The first encounter certainly paints an overall mood of a laid-back, easy-going, developing country where money and opportunities seem to set the scene. Palm trees & white, tiny-windowed houses welcome me on a sunny day as I leave the airport on this exciting journey to learn more about the history and people of Tunisia…. #carthage #northafrica #tunis #visa #Tunisia #attitude #passport #airport #life

Antaturk International Airport, June 15, 2013 It’s never fun taking a long overnight flight especially when one arrives at 5:30AM and yet having to wait for another flight to catch. At least I feel a lot better now that I can breathe after having been suffocated for the last 10 hours on the plane by the boldest & most confronting fragrance of eau de toilette coming from my next door neighbor. I guess sensual attraction works differently in different parts of the world but is definitely based on the universal foundation that we human beings forever long for others’ care and attention. That explains why we spend much time making sure we always look our best be it with the clothing, the make-up, the accessories, the fragrances, or the hairstyles…. What is there, however, behind that shiny & gorgeous packaging? Do people really care? In a world where packaging plays such an important part, it is no doubt challenging to bank on one’s inner values to make things work. What lasts in the long run, however, is definitely not that shiny & gorgeous can of emptiness!!! Breathing and smiling, I board my next flight to Tunis…. #shiny #packaging #makeup #innervalues #perspective #emptiness #clothing #life #eaudetoilette #accessories #gorgeous

Saigon, June 11, 2013 Most often I got asked which country, which city, and at times which journey pops out as my top favourite. What to say? The cities start looking alike. The sceneries stay on as great memories. The people all tend to become good friends. What then is THE ONE? I know for sure what one of my most favourite movies is though, Journey to the Center of the Earth, released 2008, directed by Eric Brevig based on the same novel written by Jules Verne. Wouldn’t it be marvelous to be on such a journey to explore the very core of what creating our perceived everyday phenomena? Some people call me a dreamer. I never seem to work very well with today’s practical world…. 2009, Year of the Ox, the dreamer finally took on that marvelous journey to the very core, though it’s not to the center of the Earth as Brendan Fraser may have wished. It is, after all, the once-in-a-lifetime journey to the very core of her heart and soul. “How do we find that intact core, unpolluted by the ugliness of life, uncorrupted by compromise, not weighed down by worry, nor weakened by fear?” There is obviously no one formula for the whole wild world. This dreamer was lucky to have packed some simple tools for her journey; honesty, an open mind, and the zest for change. Rough is the descriptive nature of the trip! Waiting patiently on the other side, however, is the transcient beauty of simplicity where one happily traverses space and time with seed of mindfulness, and towards fruit of the unknown. It is, by far, the most glorious adventure…. #worry #glorious #fruit #seed #trip #unknown #openmind #beauty #ugliness #change #perspective #space #journey #mindfulness #life #compromise #time #core #simplicity #adventure #fear #honesty

80 tuổi, một bộ đồ bà ba, một cây gậy, dì lò dò băng qua đường. Tôi giật mình lao ra nắm tay dì kéo lại. “Dì đi đâu đó?” “Qua thăm ông Nghiêm, ông bạn hồi cấp 1…. Nhà ổng bên kia đường.” Dì nhìn tôi cười, nét hồn nhiên của thời học sinh thoáng qua trên đôi mắt đã hằn vết thời gian. Hôm nay giỗ ngoại. Mỗi năm chỉ có dịp này là cả đại gia đình lũ lượt kéo nhau về quê. Đám cháu chắt bọn tôi thì thích tụ tập đàn đúm với nhau. Còn đối với dì, mỗi chuyến về Ngoại lại là một hành trình ngược thời gian, đưa dì trở về với ký ức của một thời vô tư lự. Ông Nghiêm ngồi trước cửa nhà, tóc bạc phơ. Dì bước vào. Hai mái tóc phủ sương. Hai cái ghế đẩu bằng gỗ mộc đã bị gió mưa bào mòn theo năm tháng. Vài câu hỏi thăm sức khỏe. Một mẩu giấy tưa vì xé vội. Một số điện thoại viết nghuệch ngoạc bằng cây bút bi đã chảy mực lem nhem. “Chắc cúng xong rồi. Thôi tui về nhe anh.” Ông Nghiêm gật đầu cười, lơ phơ hàm răng cái còn cái mất. Nghe mẹ kể hồi con gái dì đẹp lắm. Mấy anh trai làng cứ mê mẩn thập thò trước nhà, làm Ngoại cũng lo phát mệt. Sau này dì theo dượng tôi đi kháng chiến, cũng một thời oanh liệt. Giải phóng xong, dì ở Sài gòn tất bật chuyện gia đình, lo con, lo cháu, cũng chẳng mấy khi rảnh rỗi mà về đây chuyện trò với Ngoại. Rồi tai nạn ập đến. Dì bị quẹt xe trên đường đi chợ. Những tháng ngày còn lại, dì lúc nhớ lúc không. Bác sỹ bảo hộp sọ trước bị nứt, không gắn lại được, đành để như vậy cả đời. Tích tắc vậy thôi, cuộc đời dì hoàn toàn thay đổi. Ngày xưa hễ nhắc đến dì là tôi lại hình dung những bước chân vội vã, vài cái nhíu mày không vừa ý, và tiếng càu nhàu mỗi khi dượng tôi xuất hiện. Mười mấy năm trở lại đây từ hồi xảy ra tai nạn, dì chẳng mấy khi nói gì, chỉ cười mỗi khi nghe bọn tôi kể chuyện, và cứ một hai ngày lại giở lịch xem ngày đám giỗ Ngoại. Ngoại mất chẳng bao lâu sau khi dì bị tai nạn. Vậy là từ hồi rời khỏi nhà Ngoại đến giờ, hai mẹ con chắc chẳng có được mấy câu chuyện vuông tròn. Ngoại mất rồi, mỗi lần gặp tôi, dì chỉ nói có một câu “Dì nhớ Ngoại lắm. Nhớ nhà mình ở dưới quê lắm.” 70 năm, một khoảnh đời vội vã, chỉ để quay về ngồi đây trên chiếc ghế đẩu gỗ mộc, 2 mái tóc phủ sương, một ký ức đẹp về một thời vô tư lự trên miền quê Ngoại…. #Hạnhphúc #vôtưlự #quêNgoại #cuộcsống #vộivã #oanhliệt

Saigon, June 7, 2013 In a country where you are judged by the clothing brands you wear, the accessories brands you carry, the branded bikes or cars you possess, or the net earnings you take home every month…, it is quite predictable that you get to meet plenty of well-wrapped zombies along the way. Out of their living boxes they walk, every day, towards the most powerful unit of measurement, the $. “What is that used to measure?” Who would ask such a question? But then again, no question is ever a silly one, said once by my primary school teacher. For almost 40 years now in Vietnam, success has been widely defined as getting ahead of others in the race towards wealth, power, and fame. There is no room for being self-content, no room for showing true colors, no room whatsoever for random kindness. I once asked some expat friends for their objective view about Vietnamese, having served their years in the country. The responses are remarkably aligned. “They can fight!” That to me can be a good trait, if rightly used of course. What do they fight for? Somehow group thinking coupled with the efficiency of mass media has created this huge monster called “success”. It obviously has everything to do with how you look, what you possess, how much money you make, how popular you are, who you know…. And the zombies continue to walk, in and out of their living boxes, into the most fierce & brutal fight for that almighty unit of measurement, with the absolute absence of trust. What if I don’t take part in that fight? What if I have my own set of values? As human beings, everyone longs for kindness and warmth from others. What if I offer it, even to strangers? Are you serious? Are you nuts? Are you ready to be a Purple Cow?” Because in this society, one will stick out like a sore thumb and may be boycotted from the “success” circle of zombies. ARE YOU READY? Purple is my color. I love it! #success #purple #kindness #cow #trust #massmedia #brand #vietnam #colors #warmth #perspective #life #fight #earning #zombie #power #saigon #purplecow

Nó là ổ bánh mỳ duy nhất còn sót lại trong sọt. Mới có 10g sáng mà trông nó đã bèo nhèo xơ xác. Ừa mà từ lúc ra lò đến giờ cũng đã 6, 7 tiếng rồi chứ ít gì. Nằm đây một mình ngoài bờ tường bụi bặm của bến xe, dưới cái nóng hầm hập tháng 5 của Sài gòn, xung quanh mấy thứ rác rửi, nước thải vương vãi vô tội vạ thì ai mà chải chuốt cho được? Bến xe khách Chợ Lớn sáng thứ 7 thôi thì tấp nập, người ra kẻ vào ì xèo đến mà phát chóng mặt. Chẳng ai thèm quan tâm đến nó. Cái đồ bánh mỳ ế! Nó cũng chẳng hiểu tại sao nó còn ở lại. Cả đám ra lò cùng một lúc. Hồi đó, em nào cũng tươi mơn mởn, thơm phưng phức. Cậu Hùng Giòn, nghe ông chủ lò gọi vậy, vác cả đám ra bến xe từ tờ mờ sáng. Nó là đứa có chút mã nên cậu Hùng cho ăn trên nằm trước. Chả cần học marketing cậu cũng hiểu phải nhá hàng đẹp thì mới câu khách được. Cả đám còn lại bị cậu nhốt vào cái sọt mây phủ kín bằng một lớp vải bố gai. Nó cảm thấy hãnh diện vô cùng. Đằng nào nó cũng được tiếng là show girl chứ ít gì. Cậu Hùng còn phết thêm cho nó một lớp dầu ma-ki-dê. Bóng loáng và chảnh chọe, nó lim dim tận hưởng cảm giác đỉnh cao của sự nghiệp bamyshow. Huỵch! Một ai đó vô tâm quẹt chân vào cái sọt làm nó lăn lông lốc ra mặt đường. Chưa kịp hoàng hồn thì ào một cái, bà Năm bán hủ tíu bên lề đường lại tạt cho một chậu nước rửa chén vào đầu. Giấc mơ showbiz tuyệt vời của nó thoáng chốc đã mềm nhũn ra trong cái mớ nước lem nhem, lều phều đó. Tất cả bỗng dưng chỉ còn là ảo giác, ảo giác về sự hoành tráng tạm bợ, ảo giác về một giấc vỗ tay sặc mùi đố kỵ, ảo giác về những ánh mắt ngưỡng mộ đầy gian dối, ảo giác, ảo giác…. Chương cuối cùng của cuộc đời không còn chỗ cho sự hối hận. Giá mà nó được làm lại từ đầu. Nó xin làm một ổ bánh mỳ bình dị, sinh ra đơn giản chỉ để yêu thương và giúp đỡ mọi người, dù chỉ là một người khách qua đường không quen biết, trong cuộc đời ngắn ngủi này của nó. #Hạnhphúc #show #ảogiác #sựnghiệp #cuộcsống #đơngiản #yêuthương #showbiz #bánhmỳ

Saigon, June 02, 2013 6:30AM and sunshine is wide awake. So am I…. That’s kinda unusual for a Sunday morning. I reach for my phone. And the message is there. “Vinh is no longer with us”. The message comes in around 6:25AM from an old colleague. I haven’t seen him for almost a year. If nothing happens today, he probably would not cross my mind on a Sunday morning. 23 years old when life is still waiting around the corner, he leaves us all for a bike accident. Memory is vivid and his naive smile haunts my morning. He’s been a good kid, never speaking much, hiding behind his camera, but he’s always there when you need some extra help. In a way, kiddo reminds me of myself in my childhood years, shy, silent though eager to help people around. As I drive along the way to bid my last farewell to kiddo, I wonder if life in Saigon will be the same without him. Will he be missed by the hustle bustle street rivers of Saigon during rainy seasons? Will he be missed by the tired muddy river he crosses every day? Will he be missed by the slow-dripping filter at his usual coffee corner? Will he be missed by the old silent temple on the way home from work? Has he ever been noticed? All too often people pass people by in this country of 80 million. Slowing down to breathe is a luxury. Stopping to see is an absolute fear of losing another opportunity lying ahead. Random kindness is on the verge of extinction. And so he is gone, coming into life bare-footed and leaving it bare-handed. Such is life, impermanence! Darkness waits for no one as the evening falls on Saigon. Farewell to sunshine! Have a safe journey, my dear! #kindness #breathe #perspective #life #saigon #fear #impermanent

Macao, May 30, 2013 Paul picked me up at 10:30 for a coffee before sending me to the ferry terminal heading to Hongkong airport. As I was busy giving him a hard time on his serious man-in-black outfit, he pointed out at a massive golden statue by the river and asked me if I knew who that was. It’s the statue of a lady with a lenient face, but it did not cross my mind at that instant who exactly she was. “Not sure” I said. Paul raised his eyebrows in astonishment. For a moment there I thought I had commited a crime. “It’s Lady Bhuda, my dear! How could you not recognize Lady Bhuda being a Chinese and a Vietnamese?” “You mean that’s Kwan Yin?” I snapped back. “That does not look at all like Kwan Yin, man. That must be your Macau version!” Paul bursted out laughing but quickly paused when I posed the next question. “Tell me, what is she doing there by the river, all by herself, in Sin City?” There was no answer. Maybe one of the god fathers in this town got all twisted one day and thought he should show his mayflies some compassion? For 40 years, the casino industry here was monopolized, until 1999 when Macau was “rightfully”returned to mainland China. Since 2002, 5 more casino licences have been issued, making it a total of 6. The industry has been absolutely thriving. Newer, better, bigger casinos mushroom up on this land. And as I bid adieu to Sin City, greyish construction cranes are shadowing the city as new projects continue to blossom. After Wynn Macau, Sands China, Galaxy Entertainment Group, SJM Holdings, MGM China Holdings, and Melco Crown Entertainment, this town can surely hosts a few more to service endless number of mainlanders rushing here to erase past memories of the tough old days and to take a sneak peak of an unknown future. In a land of 1 million, half of which locals and the other half workers from surrounding Asian nations, the locals still get a hang of the industry under the protective local law allowing only Macau citizens to work in the gaming industry. Outsiders can take care of the rest, mostly services for gamblers. Just like monopoly being terminated 10 years ago, protective law won’t be able to keep up with this rate of development. The once winter-heaven-for-birds has turned concrete, leaving a tiny pond un-noticed amidst bullying structures, striking lights, and buzzing shuttle buses…. People come and go. Money comes and goes. Power comes and goes. Only Kwan Yin stands there, head down, trying to keep her prayers alive for the people of this city, and for all the broken dream seekers, here in Sin City…. #kwanyin #dream #macau #casino #purpose #perspective #ladybhuda #Macao #money #life #power #sin

Macao, May 29, 2013 Though Macao casinos never get me remotely excited, I am super content to catch up with an old Hongkong friend who has been working in Macau for the last 10 years. Having told him about the Venetian maze and my inability to navigate, he asks me to wait for him at the main lobby which is supposed to be the easiest place to find in this confusing complex. 6:30pm I make my way towards the direction of the main lobby. At least that’s where the arrow points. Not for long do I find myself lost in a casino with frozen-faced dealers, tense & tired looking gamblers, and idle & lost looking shadows of opportunists waiting around for the next bingo. After all, it is the City of Dreams for some…. No one looks at anyone. No one talks to anyone. All eyes are on the bets. I finally make it through the must-pass institution of dreams and make it to the other side of darkness, though it never leaves me. Faces of despair, anxiety, loss, and anger sadden my heart as I walk out to a Renaissance walk-way of painted walls and ceilings. My friend, Paul takes me to one of the so-called finest Japanese restaurant at the Grand Lisboa. Portugese, he says, seems a bit heavy for a small-eater like myself even though it is considered local food. “Sure” I say. With an old friend by one’s side, any food will do. As we are seated next to a Chinese couple, I couldn’t help but notice the awkward silence between them. The lady keeps taking photos of whatever on the table to share on whichever social networks. The guy is lost. He gives a bored look around just to find nothing entertaining. I certainly never look entertaining enough! And so he reluctantly picks up his phone, keeping himself busy with the smart screen. Neither looks at each other. Not a word uttered. All eyes are on the screen. “Let’s get out of here!” I request. I’d rather be on the streets where I can see life. And out we walk, through the old heritage quarter of Macau. Deja-vu! Amidst the bad tastes of flashing neon lights and glassy modern buildings are gorgeous relics of the blended Portugese and Chinese architectures, the old Portugese school, the elegant post office, the bold administrative building, the breath-taking Ruins of St. Paul cathedral, and my God! the creepy-looking but awe-inspiring red street with ancient Chinese houses, all painted in red! For the first time in Macau, I can feel the city…. The night ends up for us at a 30-year old small and quaint Chinese sweet shop on one of the tiny lane ways for almond and egg white sweet soup. Paul goes on and on about the heritage of Macau. At least we share the same topics. We both love heritage and culture. Paul sends me back to the City of dreams at midnight. The dreams are obviously getting more alive as the night runs out. Thousands of mayflies float around, hoping to be burnt. No one looks. No one talks. All eyes are on the bets. Why are they here on earth? Have they ever thought about a purpose in life? #dream #casino #purpose #perspective #Macao #life #earth

“Xoẹt!” Những dòng máu đỏ tươi bắn loạn xạ. Con kia ngã gục, giãy đành đạch vài cái rồi nằm sóng xoài trên vỉa hè. Chiều nay ắt sẽ có một chầu “gà nòi hầm xả”. Cồ cất tiếng gáy vang vang. đã mấy năm nay nó vang danh sừng sỏ trong cái xóm gà chuyên nghiệp này. Bao nhiêu tên đàn anh, đàn em khắp mọi miền đều bị hắn oánh cho ngã ngửa, kẻ thì chết tươi, kẻ thì ôm đầu máu chạy có cờ, tên thì phải tàn tật suốt đời. Chủ của Cồ vì thế mà cũng vô cùng hãnh diện. Tiền thắng bạc lần nào Cồ cũng được hưởng sái, nào là bồi bổ, nào là lồng đẹp, nào là cựa mới. Oách thế đấy! Sức mạnh, tài năng, mưu mô, chiến thuật của nó đã khiến cho cả cái xóm này phải tâm phục khẩu phục. Vinh hoa phú quý thôi thì khỏi phải bàn. Sau mỗi trận đá tơi bời, cái mào của Cồ lại đỏ thêm một chút. Màu đỏ của chiến thắng. Màu đỏ của vinh quang. Màu đỏ của sự ngạo mạn…. Một ngày tháng 5 đầu hạ, trời oi oi bức bức, Cồ lại lên đường. Lại một tên nữa sắp tiêu đời. Chẳng mấy khi Cồ quan tâm đến những kẻ chiến bại ấy. Chúng vốn sinh ra là để chiến bại mà. Cồ ngạo nghễ bước ra. “Ôi trời! Lại một thắng ốm tong teo. Trông hắn cũng lì đòn ra phết nhưng cái vẻ bỡ ngỡ ấy chắc là mới ra sân lần đầu. Thôi thì đánh đòn truyền thống vậy. Chẳng cần phải suy nghĩ chi cho mệt.” Cồ điệu đàng sấn tới. “Xoẹt!” Trời đất bỗng chao đảo. Vỉa hè trưa nay sao lạnh quá…. Nó nằm sóng xoài trên mặt đất, chỉ kịp thoáng nghe một ai đó bình luận, “Em này là chiến binh vũ trụ mô đen mới đấy! Ra trận đầu mà đã nốc ao nhà vô địch.” Cồ nằm đó đơn độc, không một người thân, không một giọt nước mắt. Có chăng là vài ánh mắt ái ngại cho cái thân phận đáng thương của một kẻ đã từng nếm mùi chiến thắng. Chiều nay, chắc cái đám bạn nhậu của ông chủ lại có một độ “gà nòi hầm xả”. Khi những giọt nước mắt cuối cùng của Cồ khẽ chạm vào những hạt cát mong manh, nó mới hiểu ra rằng cuộc đời vốn vô thường đến thế…. #chiếnthắng #triếtlý #vôthường #thấtbại #cuộcsống

Macao, May 27, 2013 After landing in Hongkong, I proceed to the Macao Ferry ticket counter. A friend has told me that it’s easy enough to get ferry tickets at Hongkong airport, so I did not bother to check for online ticket reservation. After all, a bit of the un-known always makes a trip more exciting. I have learned to embrace new experiences as I travel the world instead of being the old control freak me. Like everyone else, I stand in line waiting for my turn. “One way to Macau, please!” I say it out loud. One can never go wrong if one knows the destination for sure. “Taipa or Macau city?”, asks the ticket agent. “Oh….,” I find myself taken aback. “Macau city I guess…” Definitely sounds safer and easier making a city choice I think to myself. Besides, I have absolutely no idea where Taipa is. I have not done my homework. Such a small island. Who needs a map? That’s a lesson learned today. You don’t know what you don’t know…. 4:30 and it’s boarding time. Should be piece of cake now boarding the ferry across. There is one ferry heading to Macau and I can’t miss it. After a short shuttle train ride and a long elevator ride up, I reach the ferry terminal. All of a sudden, there are 6 gates with people lining up in front. Oops! Which gate is it? I walk back looking for the announcement board. Another lesson learned. Don’t take anything for granted! I found my gate any way, number 5 to Macau city. I’ve bought the super class ticket as it sounds better and the price difference is not that huge. I learn as I board that super class means upper deck. Not sure if it makes any difference. The guy behind complains to his wife “More than 300 HK dollars for this?”. Macao, the casino of Asia, appears as we approach the terminal. It’s an easy one-hour boat ride. The overall feeling is dark and tired…. Don’t ask me why! As I walk out of the ferry terminal, my first experiences of Macau blossom. Lines and lines of hotel and casino representatives are waiting outside, pointing you to their shuttle buse locations at the exit. Having not reserved hotel pick-up, I still want to try my luck. There it is! The Venetian Macao Hotel & Resorts. The girl spots me as I look at the board and before I open my mouth, she already directs me down the stairs towards the bus terminal. I probably walk past 20 hotel/casino boards before reaching one that says Venetian. On I board and the bus fills up pretty quickly. Within 5 minutes we leave the terminal. As an island, Macao is surrounded with water and water is to me the calming agent. I can live here! But then again, apart from water, what else can you find apart from massive casino hotels? Flashing signboards strike the eyes as the message is in your face “City of Dreams”. I wonder how many people have bought in this dream and how many have been knocked out by the lack of it…. It is an easy ride and I get to the hotel without any drama. As I enter the casino hotel, however, I immediately got overwhelmed by the happenings of this place. Loads of people walk in all directions, young couples, old couples, families with kids, solo gamblers by the look of their eyes….. Shops, poker machines, show ticket counters line up…. After struggling a while to find the hotel lobby, I get checked in. South Wing, level 14 and a series of instructions on what is where and for that I could not locate which way to get to the room. Man! For the first time in my life, I am totally lost. One has to be lost in that maze, lost in the constant movements in every direction of the people there, lost amongst the lights and the noises, lost in the bold merchandising of the casinos…. Wonder if anyone has found their dreams while I am getting lost…. #dreams #casino #lost #perspective #Macao #life

Bộ mặt dửng dung. Ánh mắt hờ hững. Nó nửa đứng nửa ngồi, hai tay túm chặt lấy một mớ cỏ khô khô héo héo, miệng nhai xoành xoạch như một cái máy tuốt lúa. Cuộc đời cứ thế trôi qua. Người đời đặt tên cho nó là Capybara. Capybara là cái quái quỷ gì nó cũng chẳng hiểu và cũng chẳng buồn tìm hiểu. Ừa thì mặt thỏ. Ừa thì mình heo. Ừa thì có liên quan gì đến giòng họ đứa nào trong cuộc đời này? Mặc ai dòm ngó. Mặc ai bàn tán, thị phi. Mặc ai lắc đầu ngán ngẩm. Miệng thì cứ nhai. Tay thì cứ ôm. Mặt thì cứ dửng dưng thế đấy. Mỗi ngày trôi qua cũng chỉ là một ngày nữa dưới ánh mặt trời gay gắt của cái xứ sở không nắng thì mưa này. 28/4 cũng lại là một ngày hè đổ lửa. Có khác chăng cũng chỉ là nắng đó mưa đó, biết đâu mà lần. Ừa mà nắng hay mưa thì đã làm sao? Lại từng người, từng người, bước qua cuộc đời của Capybara. Họ thấy gì, nghĩ gì, cảm nhận gì đối với nó chẳng có chút ý nghĩa nào. Nó phải phấn đấu lắm mới có được cái chuồng đẹp thế. Cỏ thì lúc nào cũng dâng tận miệng. Có muốn cũng không cưỡng lại được. Nó vì vậy mà cứ nhóp nhép suốt cả ngày. Cuộc đời nếu cứ trôi đều như thế thì nó đã sướng lắm rồi! Nhưng 28/4 không phải là một ngày như mọi ngày đã qua. Một nàng bướm vui tươi, duyên dáng với cái tên rất di gan, Rama, ngẩn ngơ dạo quanh xóm nhỏ. Cô nàng hoảng hốt chao đảo khi tình cờ chạm phải ánh mắt dửng dưng đến lạnh người của Capybara. Từng nhát, từng nhát một, cái ánh mắt lạnh lùng ấy cứa từng vết dài vào tình yêu cuộc sống của Rama. Trong phút chốc, trái tim cô vỡ tan thành muôn ngàn hạt pha lê li ti, thắp sáng từng giọt sương còn đọng lại trên mớ cỏ khô oan nghiệt. Lần đầu tiên trong đời, Capybara dừng lại. Thì ra cuộc sống còn có những tình yêu mong manh như thế. Nó chẳng biết phải bắt đầu từ đâu hay tiếp tục thế nào. Nhưng nó chợt nhận ra rằng sự dừng lại chính là điểm khởi đầu…. #cuộcsống #Hạnhphúc #tỉnhthức