Wow, I can’t believe it’s been 3 months since I last posted on here. For anyone who hasn’t kept up (and really, why would you?), since my last post I spent 6 weeks in Australia, then traveled back to Los Angeles. A funny thing happened while I was there.
My initial plan was to spend about 3 months in LA – visiting friends, writing, getting back into shape by riding my bike every day and finally, planning the next leg of my world travels.
Within a week of getting to LA, I had gotten a call totally out of the blue about taking on some part time work while I was in town. It ultimately didn’t work out, but right on the heels of that discussion I got another call.
“How would you like to work on a project in Vietnam for a while?”
While traveling, I didn’t come to any earth-shattering revelations about where my life would take me next, but one of the things I put on my “to-do list” was to work internationally on some limited term projects. Ideally, I’d live in a new country every year and really have the opportunity to absorb the culture, language and environment.
I didn’t even have time to start talking to people about that possibility before I got a call from a former co-worker. Within 2 days of our first conversation, I was signed on to work in Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon for anywhere between 3 months and 3 years.
So, now I’ve been here for a month and I’m loving it. I’ve gotten settled into a beautiful apartment in District 1 and the work’s been great.
Which leads me to: what’s up with the blog?
Obviously I’m not traveling the same way I once was, so things will be changing but I DO plan to kick-start the thing and get back into gear. The focus will be on Saigon and the oddities of life here. Regular features like Brain Drops will be back periodically and I’ll share more about the project that I’m working on (as much as I can without hurting the confidentiality of people or the company I’m working with).
In other words, The Freedonia Post is back in business! Because SOMEONE has to make up for News of the World getting shuttered.
Nice to see you back online! I was in Saigon about a month and a half ago and loved it.
Yeah, I remember thinking I was just missing you when I arrived! Let me know if you come back through – my place has plenty of room!
hey you — you know I will be in Saigon at the end of Sept after the Ultimate Train Challenge, right? We’ll have to hang for a good bit of time when I arrive for sure!
Absolutely. I have to make a visa run in mid-September but end of September should be wide open.
Finally, I’ll get my chance to buy you a beer. And I know a great place on the street where they only cost 14,000VND
Glad to see your back Joel! I loved Saigon and am glad that you found a great opportunity to follow your passions and work internationally. It is funny how it all works out when you have the gumption to go out and chase what you want. People seem to respect the willingness to take risks that long term travel represents. I know that happened for me when I returned from my year traveling.
I look forward to hearing more about Vietnam and the culture of an ex-pat.
Thanks Keith!
There’s no doubt that the fact I’d spent a month in Vietnam helped nail down this job – for the company, as well as myself. I knew all about the city and knew I could live here without a problem.
Yay! As you know, I really missed your regular posts and am looking forward to reading about life in Saigon
Thanks – post frequency will be an issue, but hopefully I can get two out a week.
yay! amazing how well those little intentions for yourself can work out.. very cool!! good luck on your new set of adventures and cheers to many more.
Thank you, Janet. Now get out here for a visit, would you?
FINALLY! I want more MORE!
On its way, as ordered!
Much missed, sir.
Thanks, Mike! Sadly my next leg to England is a bit off in the future now, but you have a place to stay if you head in this direction.
Welcome back! I’ve been wondering where you ran off too….mystery solved
enjoy your time in Saigon and keep us posted 
Thanks, I’ll be writing an update at least once a week so stay tuned!
Great that you’ve been able to work on a cool project and that you were flexible with your travel plans!
Thanks Lauren. It’s nice to be here in a new city AND making an actual income. It’ll make the next leg of the journey stress-free. Whenever that comes.
I must admit, I was curious about what happened to you. Then one day while checking this blog, I saw that your “Where’s Joel” map pin-pointed you in my hometown of Arcadia. I thought, “I didn’t know Joel was back in the states. And why is he in Arcadia of all places?”
I’m happy to see you’re still living the dream.
Yep, I was actually disappointed this came up so quickly (not that I regret coming here in the least). I was enjoying being back and catching up with people. I was staying with a friend in Arcadia who was kind enough to let me bum a room in exchange for providing some tech support and light construction. And possum protection.
Glad you’re back. Now get to writing!
Thank you! I will, although balancing a 50 hour work week with blog writing will prove an interesting challenge. Not to mention random activities like hosting a pub quiz night here, which I stupidly volunteered for!
You know what this means? I, too, will be in Saigon. You owe me that dinner we discussed a while back. And no, Hodson is not invited.
It’s really fortunate that I can buy a good meal from a street vendor for $1.50. I can treat EVERYONE
Sounds great, I admire your passion in traveling. I totally love it here.
Nice post, so please keep up the good work!
It would be nice if you can check this out and let me know what you think.
http://www.saigonstay.wordpress.com