It’s early afternoon in the peaceful village of Hoi An, Vietnam. Small houses and nondescript storefronts stretch along the balmy beach town’s handful of main roads. To the west is the town center, a maze of tailors and higher-end restaurants, and to the east lie acres of flooded farmland abutting a series of restaurant-bars and hostels.
It is to that eastern wonder that Matt makes his soggy way now, melting in the heat under the weight of his backpack and expectations. He’s heading to find his hostel, booked online last night. The trudge from the bus station has already taken him almost three miles across town. And several restaurants for quick jumps of WiFi to get his bearings.
“How did anyone ever manage to get by before WiFi?” Matt asks the air. He’s toying with the idea of saying his thoughts out loud, so he can write about it in his blog.
“Is this crazy? This talking?” He pauses. “I think… the important part is that I’m asking the question.” He gazes out past the clay-tiled sidewalk into the fields beyond.