Just Enjoy The Show

I swore I was better than banana pancakes. Banana pancakes are for tourists. That's not me. And yet here I was, four months into my solo journey (hello, judges!) through Southeast Asia, on a steamy morning in Hoi An, Vietnam, devouring banana pancakes. Not sure what sparked it; the day started off with the usual thought process - What day is it? What am I doing with my life? Damn these pancakes are good. - when he spotted his prey. Banana Pancakes? Check. Lost look in her eyes? Check. The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia in hand? Check. (Looking good today, judges!). His name was Mr. Thong and he was an Easy Rider. I had read about these "Easy Riders" in several guidebooks - an informal motorcycle gang who shows you the "real" Vietnam. They were on my list right below the pancakes. "It's not for me," I told Mr. T. Plus, his "informal" itinerary was three times more than my daily budget. Mr. T honed in and went for the kill. "Money comes, money goes," he said. Maybe it was the pancake high, but next thing I know I'm on the back of a motorcycle riding through the Central Highlands of Vietnam for five days with Mr. T.
We cruised at all paces. We stopped when something piqued our interest - a couple drying bamboo along the side of the road, another who ferments rice wine; we helped a woman shuck corn for a few hours; we plucked black peppercorns and coffee beans right off the vine; I felt like a celebrity when an entire market stopped what they were doing and followed the stranger; I even swam under a waterfall in my underwear. I experienced Vietnam how it is meant to be experienced - and I have the leg burn to prove it. No guidebook or itinerary can plan that.
Once I was able to let go, to stop trying to have the perfect journey, I realized I was right in the middle of one. All because of banana pancakes.