Boring transit day today. I feel like these posts are always the same. We woke up late and took our time getting packed up, and then checked out of our Airbnb at 11. We took a grab to the airport with plenty of time before our 2:30 flight. It was empty and we are flying domestically, so it felt especially easy.

Two observations. First, I find the southeast Asian culture towards durians so funny. There are signs everywhere banning them. Our Airbnb had a specific request that we not bring them inside. And yet they are everywhere and there is even merch sold for them. It’s a whole lot of energy given to a frenemy fruit.

Second, there are very distinct cultural norms when it comes to luggage. I noticed most people today had intensely wrapped luggage, with zip ties around the plastic wrap. In China, everyone traveled with big paper gift bags. In Vietnam, everyone has their name and phone number written in huge letters across their suitcases.

At our gate, Millie “read” (listened to the recalling function on the Libby app) her new book. She chose it this morning and it’s all about the bubonic plague. She kept pausing it to say “mom, this book is SO good.” She has such a morbid fascination with all things bodies and death. All day today she kept casually dropping horrific factoids, like “it’s smelled so bad people had to carry around flowers” and “there were dead bodies in the streets”.

Anyway, the flight was quick. Bumpy, but quick. We landed and got a taxi to our new Airbnb. It’s on the 35th floor and has a crazy view of the city.

We were too lazy to research good local food and just went to the brewpub across the street. I had a Diet Coke and Caesar salad, which felt like something my mom would have ordered in 1998.

Walked back to our Airbnb and now Nick and Millie are having a belated movie night while I write this.