Manage My TA

Share Your Experience

Full circle.

May 2000. A early morning flight from Saigon to Da Nang. Saigon was a place I had never been before and had been like many asian cities. As our plane descends we are coming into Da Nang. The airport I flew home from as a teenage Marine in 1968. A place I'd thought I'd never see again. This was not supposed to be an emotional trip for me. Just a look around the country I had fought in long ago. Yet, there I was, looking out the window of the plane, feeling deep emotion building inside. I am surprized at my reaction. After the plane lands, we walk down the steps to a bus for the short ride to the terminal building. Just inside the doors we wait for our bags. It is very hot and the doors remain open. Looking out the doors, across the runway, are mountains and they hold onto the clouds in the morning. I am remembering this same picture so many years ago. I see and hear nothing around me. Only the far off mountains and long ago. I feel the tears building in my eyes. I walk out the door so the others will not see my tears. A vietnamese man (police?) walks up to me and asks in english "What are you doing". I tell him that I'm just looking at the planes. He is not fooled. He says "You have been here before!". I nod yes to him. He puts his hand gently on my shoulder and walks away. I am thinking that my life has come full circle. I had never thought I'd ever be in this place again. Yet, I am really here. During the war I had thought I'd like to see Viet Nam without war, but it was just a dream of a teenage boy. In the days ahead I would find myself thinking that I had returned home after being away for a lifetime. In America there is a saying that you can never go home. It means that all things change. Viet Nam has changed too but for the better. But still I can't help but feel that I have returned home . . . Full Circle! Jim Murtaugh

* * * * *

Published on 1/11/03

Sponsor links

Cancel

Add Comment

Add Tags

Comments [2]

Full Circle By Minh_TOM Premo

Contributor: tom_premo [137] 6/5/03

0 of 0 people found this comment helpful.

JimM, I also have experienced the emotions you felt at returning to Vietnam. I especially enjoy meeting the Vietnamese people where I live in the Mekong Delta, ThiXa(City) GoCong, Tien Giange Province. Minh_TOM http://geocities.com/minh_tom

Was this comment helpful to you? Helpful Not helpful Inappropriate
Saved

Thank you for your input.

Vietnam Travel

Contributor: tom_premo [137] 5/17/03

0 of 0 people found this comment helpful.

JimM, I hope to read more of your stories about Vietnam as soon as you return in May2003. Regards, Minh_TOM Premo http://geocities.com/minh_tom

Was this comment helpful to you? Helpful Not helpful Inappropriate
Saved

Thank you for your input.

Add Comment

You might also be interested in

Boracay Island: Then and Now.

Ms. Sofia Surfer - sofialamberto [217]

The Chronicles of Boracay Island: Island History Buracay is Boracay Boracay Island : an island so beautiful, sometimes sinful, always controversial. This makes it intriguing and causes people...

Destinations: Bangladesh | Indonesia | Singapore | Brunei | Hong Kong | Bahrain | Cambodia | Philippines | Vietnam | India | Spratly Islands | Maldives | Qatar | Japan | Bhutan
Topics: Travel | Adventure | Literature | Women & Travel | 20th Century History | Economy | Photography | People | Beaches & Resorts | Ancient History | National Parks | Festivals | Traditions | Ecotourism | Culture | Agriculture | Nature

Peach Flowers of Tet - Vietnamese Lunar New Year

Tet- New Year, Ancient Customs

Ha Pham - PhamHa [246]

For the Vietnamese people, Tet is the most sacred time of the year. Tet is also time to reflect on the spiritual life. Tet- New Year, Ancient Customs

Destinations: Vietnam
Topics: Adoption | Travel | Adventure | Literature | Women & Travel | 20th Century History | Music | Art | Economy | Photography | People | Religion | Beaches & Resorts | Performing Arts | Fashion | Sports | War & Conflict | Shopping | Ancient History | National Parks | Festivals | Animals | Traditions | Ecotourism | Martial Arts | Culture | Food | Working Abroad | Agriculture | For Kids | Nature | Architecture

Farmer in Northern Vietnam - Copywrite Brenda Sunno

Do You Know How Vietnamese People Cultivate Wet Rice?

Ha pham - lux4lux [426]

It is not until you actually take off your shoes, roll up your trousers and muck in that you really appreciate the skill and energy required to harvest rice.

Destinations: Vietnam
Topics: Adoption | Travel | Adventure | Literature | Women & Travel | 20th Century History | Music | Art | Economy | Photography | People | Beaches & Resorts | Religion | Performing Arts | Fashion | Sports | War & Conflict | Shopping | Ancient History | National Parks | Festivals | Animals | Traditions | Ecotourism | Martial Arts | Culture | Food | Working Abroad | Agriculture | For Kids | Architecture

Full circle.

About the Author

Add Your Own Tag:

Going to Da Nang?

Been to Da Nang?

Sponsor links

Add Your Own Tag:

Comments [2]

Full Circle By Minh_TOM Premo

Was this comment helpful to you? Helpful Not helpful Inappropriate Saved Thank you for your input.

Vietnam Travel

Was this comment helpful to you? Helpful Not helpful Inappropriate Saved Thank you for your input.

Report this comment as inappropriate

You might also be interested in

I'm a member of the ThingsAsian community

My Comment:

ThingsAsian: Send Story to a Friend

Was this comment helpful to you? Helpful Not helpful Inappropriate
Saved

Thank you for your input.

Was this comment helpful to you? Helpful Not helpful Inappropriate
Saved

Thank you for your input.