303. Thien Cau to Dien Chau, Vietnam

2.12.2025

Distance: 66.92 mi.

Total: 12,333.20 mi., 19,844.12 km.

As often happens, today I rode alongside a bunch of kids scootering home from school. In my rearview mirror, I noticed a group of 3 teenage boys following me. Fifty years of life as a female on this planet have taught me to be wary of groups of teenage boys trailing me.

Sure enough, after a few minutes, the boys cruised up beside me. Bracing myself, I looked over and saw that one of the boys was handing me a bag.

"Give you," he said in English.

I took the bag and saw it was a bubble tea (tea, milk, and tapioca pearls), the fancy kind with the lid sealed on for spilless transport. The lid featured a snowman and the words, "Drown your troubles in bubbles."

Bubble teas are not a cheap treat, and in this village I doubt kids roll around with a lot of pocket change.

"Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!" I said, astonished.

The boys rode off before I could ask for a photo or chat.

If I wasn't already in love with Vietnam, this gesture pushed me over the edge.

I recalled that, back in the U.S., my sole interaction with a group of teenage boys on this trip took place in Virginia. A group of high school boys in a Jeep Cherokee had leaned out and screamed, "Faggot!" as they sped by.

All cultures have their problems, but at least the Vietnam I am seeing lacks this particular unsavory flavor of toxic masculinity. And I am here for it.