Missing family on a 75-day journey was at the top of the list of pre-trip trepidations.

Thanks to What’s App and a better than expected Wifi system on Nautica, I worried about nothing. I’ve been able to connect frequently and clearly with people who have only just started to forget about me.

Truth be told, despite the audio and video calls, I missed them and everyone else more than I was willing to admit to myself. This came to light during our stop in Ho Chi Minh City.

Andrew’s friend since kindergarten, Eli, lives there and we’d made plans to see him as soon as I saw the itinerary,

Eli has been a big part of Rob/Drew travel. In 2007, the three of us spent 19 wonderful August days in Italy. In 2019, Rob/Drew went to Vietnam for Eli’s wedding to Hong. Another wonderful, memorable event in which friends felt as close as family.

Eli, Hong and their 2.5-year-old daughter Kayla were waiting for us at the port when we disembarked. That was quite a feeling. The details of the two days together are unimportant. We hung out. We caught up. Kayla got to know and trust me enough to push her stroller in the zoo at the end. Eli helped me to sneak in a haircut when Bonnie wasn’t looking. We ate. We walked. We shopped.

Oh, there was one moment I wish I had on video. We were at a public market looking at cheap clothes and we picked a few things out. We asked Hong to negotiate for us with the lady owner of the stall. The ferocity these two unleashed on each other was frightening until they reached an agreeable price and peace on earth resumed.

Thank you Eli. Thank you Hong. Thank you Kayla. You made us feel at home and we needed that very, very much.