stay together, learn the flowers, go light.

I actually just found a tumblr post from one of my past volunteers, Amy, doing exactly this- thanking me for my catalyst role in her own “lollipop moment.”

I always knew that my job last year was to “make people fall in love with Hue, Vietnam,” but to hear it is certainly a beautiful, humbling feeling.  I’m glad I was able to be that person for my volunteers.  And thank you, Amy, for being one incredible volunteer to certainly be proud of!

amylouisasadventures:

To Hy, one of the bestest friends one could possibly wish for in Hue.

Not only were you there the day I arrived in Hue, panicking, asking millions of superfluous questions, but you also showed up to my last night in Hue when few others did. We’ve come full circle by now, and what a ride it’s been!

I feel incredibly thankful for being able to get to know you, and your fascinating way of life in Hue, which apart from hard work in a million different positions, be it volunteer coordinator, house father at the shelter, big brother, clown, a source of complete embarrassment, role model and part-time voluntary xe om driver, consisted of mainly drinking coffee, laughing and photographing old men. All of these past times seem to have become some of my favourite activities and will probably get me into a lot of trouble next year when I’m supposed to be working hard.

Before I send you my first mixtape CD, let me share one of my favourite songs with you. I hope you’ll like it! It reminds me of what you told me back in March, that the whole experience is part of a journey to our inner self and that we’ll all grow beyond the person we were when we first became hooked on Hue. I think you’re right: Hue will never let us go!

xxxxx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1FH2arQh0Q