So long authoritarianism! Hello authoritarianism!

Well, it had to end eventually. I’m currently sitting in the Seoul airport, making my way back to Minnesota.

The last week has been more of the same, by design. After our Laos side trip, I wanted a few more days of my Hanoi routine before heading back – visiting the climbing gym, returning to some of my favorite cafes, getting a few more breakfast bahn mi’s.

This has been an amazing opportunity, and everything worked out as good or better than I could have hoped. I got through all of my work tasks, including some stretch goals, and really enjoyed getting to deep on some technical problem solving. I got to feel like a bit of a local in a city I love, and had the chance to look a little more closely at the daily ins and outs of life in Hanoi. And I got to see Kat and some great friends and have some new adventures.

I’m also ready to be back in my Minnesota community. While I’ve enjoyed having almost no meetings for five weeks, I’m also missing the connections with my amazing coworkers and collaborators. And even though dreary late-winter in Minnesota isn’t the best time of the year, I’ve got a broken Volvo to work on, friends I’m eager to catch up with, and nazi car manufacturers I’m itching to protest.

I’d definitely do something like this again – winter 2026 in Mexico City? – but I’m glad I’m not a full-time digital nomad. Mostly.