Green is the New Black: HCM Road, Vietnam

My mom asked me when I was 6-7 what color I wanted to paint my room.

“Red,” I said,

but she obliged, “Red is like the Scarlet Letter,”

which I didn’t understand at the time, but it’s who my mom is. The next best thing I could think of was,

“Green.”

“But why green?”

“Because the Ninja Turtles are green.”

That was 20 odd years ago. Maybe I knew something then. I’d go on to like blue for the longest time. I thought it represented my feelings and person. Then, somewhere in the last 5 years, green kept finding me. Green cars, green shirts, green boards, you name it.

But what I discovered green really meant to me was how it related to nature. I was a city boy with my skateboard for so many years, but moving to Hawaii offered a great reset granting me time to enjoy the natural. I found myself completely at home in jungles, trekking waterfalls, hiking through mountains and rivers. They all left me feeling connected and energized.

So, that was long winded to say I’ve been on a journey to see the planet ever since, and it involves chasing green. I hope you like green. I heard it’s the new black.

Epic start 🌫️

What if I actually put blue and green together…

Maybe it’s not “either or”, but “both.”

Yeah, that’s the feeling. I just needed both. 🌎💚💙

Thank you motorcycle for providing this journey 🫶 (👸)

Check the fit, Calvin Klein, Whaddup?

Also, it’s 30 degrees and I’m still freezing. Rain jacket, sweater, t shirt, and blazer. Rain pants+gloves. Whatttt?!

Swear, I thought this was a KFC sign.

Pulled off to the first place that had people in it for lunch.

Wow 😍

The family was REALLY friendly and wanted me to drink happy water and beer but I declined. Could be a helluva evening at 1300 😝

The people in Vietnam lately have been so kind and friendly. I’m just smiling ear to ear at every situation. 🥰

The most perfect little blue house on a green pasture. Universe? Is that you?

I love that the universal sign for ⚠️ caution in SEA is big giant leaf or broken tree branch. 🌴 amazing.

Straight gas homie.

Also, straight gas homie (literally). 🤓

I tried putting my bike down without kicking out the stand…twice. And once I was successful. Hahaha.

I actually went to get coffee and then put the bike down and it went ALL THE WAY DOWN 😁😁😅😅

My Homestay views 👌🏼

Went down the road less traveled..this turned out to be one of the good sections. 🫣

The kids lately have been so heartwarming. They are nothing but smiles and waves and asking you questions. So cool.

I was trying to take a picture of this background, and then the guy drove up and just kept smiling so I took a photo with him in it. He then showed me the way out of the muddy backroad. The locals just keep winning in my book.