The next day started much earlier than our relaxed schedule from the day before. Long before the sun came up, my alarm went off, pulling me out of a deep sleep. Even though my body was still a little sluggish and my eyes were heavy, waking up early in a foreign city brought a unique sense of peace. Outside, the usually chaotic and noisy streets of Hanoi were completely silent, completely contrasting the roaring motorcycles that would soon take over. I got up, washed my face, and joined everyone to perform the Fajr prayer together in congregation. Starting the day with prayer in a different country gave me a profound feeling of tranquility and helped me set a clear, positive mindset for the hours ahead.
Our First Halaqah: More Than Just a Vacation After finishing our prayers, we didn’t immediately go back to sleep. Instead, we gathered around to hold our very first morning halaqah of this backpacking trip. Sitting together in a circle, the session lasted for about thirty minutes. It wasn't just a formal meeting; it was an intimate space where we reflected on Islamic values, shared our personal thoughts, and reminded one another of our core purpose. We talked about setting the right intentions—reminding ourselves that this journey wasn't just for sightseeing or taking pictures, but for seeking knowledge, building character, and learning how to survive in the real world. That brief thirty-minute session was incredibly meaningful. It grounded us and made this trip feel like a true educational expedition rather than just a casual holiday.
Kitchen Chaos and the Morning Cooking Duty Once the halaqah concluded, the quiet atmosphere quickly turned into a bustling hub of activity. It was time to prepare breakfast. In our backpacking program, every group had its own assigned cooking schedule, which meant everyone had to step up and take responsibility. That morning, it was my group's turn.
We immediately headed to the small accommodation kitchen and started working. Despite the limited space and basic cooking equipment, our teamwork was solid. We divided the tasks flawlessly: someone was cutting vegetables, another was managing the stove, while others set up the dining area and stood by to wash the dishes. The sound of spatulas hitting the frying pan, the smell of breakfast filling the air, and our continuous banter made the morning feel so alive. Cooking together did more than just fill our stomachs; it built our synergy and taught us that every single person’s contribution mattered. By the time we finished eating and cleaning up, we were energized and ready to hit the streets.
A Sudden Halt: Finding Comfort in the Rain We had all geared up, dressed, and mentally prepared ourselves for a full day of exploring Vietnam with our respective mentors. However, nature had a different plan. Just as we were about to step out, the sky turned dark, and a heavy downpour suddenly hit the city. The rain was so intense that our original itinerary had to be adjusted.
Instead of feeling frustrated by the delay, we embraced the change of pace. We stayed inside the cozy accommodation, watching the heavy rain wash over the streets of Hanoi through the windows. We spent those couple of hours chatting casually with our mentors, telling jokes, and simply enjoying the cool breeze that the rain brought. It was a nice, unexpected pause. Fortunately, by late morning, the dark clouds began to clear up, the rain stopped, and at around 11:00 AM, we finally grabbed our bags and stepped outside.
Stepping into the Steamy Streets of Vietnam The aftermath of the rain left the city incredibly humid. As the sun came back out, the wet asphalt began to steam, making the air feel thick and sticky. But nothing could dampen our excitement. We followed our mentors and began exploring different parts of the city.
Walking through the streets of Vietnam was an adventure in itself. There was always something new to capture my attention at every corner. The roads quickly filled back up with an endless sea of motorcycles, a sight that was both chaotic and mesmerizing. I loved observing the local lifestyle—from the street vendors selling fresh fruits on their bicycles, to locals sitting on tiny plastic stools sipping coffee at sidewalk cafés. I found myself constantly comparing the daily lives of the Vietnamese people to what I was used to back home in Indonesia. The traffic, the architecture, the way people interacted—it was all so different yet somehow familiar. We didn't even visit any major tourist attractions that day, but simply navigating the vibrant, narrow streets and absorbing the raw atmosphere of the city made the excursion incredibly memorable.
The Reality of Budgeting: The Two-Meal Rule We continued exploring until around 3:00 PM before finally returning to our accommodation. By the time we arrived, we were completely drenched in sweat from walking under the intense, post-rain humidity. We immediately took turns showering, changing into clean clothes, and resting our tired legs.
As the afternoon transitioned into evening, I started to deeply reflect on one of the most unique challenges of this backpacking trip: our meal schedule. Throughout the entire program, we were officially provided with only two meals a day—breakfast and dinner. If we got hungry in the middle of the day, wanted lunch, or craved a snack, we had to buy it ourselves using the personal pocket money we brought from Indonesia.
At first, this rule felt quite jarring. Back home, I was so used to having three full meals provided for me without having to think about the cost. But out here, every time my stomach growled in the afternoon, I had to make a decision. I had to look at my Vietnamese Dong, calculate the conversion to Rupiah in my head, and decide if buying a snack was worth it. After just a few days, this system forced me to grow up a little. I became much more mindful of my expenses, learning how to manage my finances wisely so I wouldn't run out of cash before the trip ended.
Evening Reflections and a Well-Earned Rest Later in the afternoon, the cooking cycle repeated, and we prepared our dinner according to the schedule. We ate together, sharing stories about the strange and funny things we saw on the streets that day.
After dinner, we gathered to perform our evening prayers, followed immediately by our nightly halaqah. Just like the morning session, it lasted for about thirty minutes. This evening session served as a perfect closing to the day. It gave us a quiet moment to reflect on everything we had experienced—from the teamwork in the kitchen to the heavy rain, and the sweltering city exploration. We reminded each other to constantly practice gratitude for the health, safety, and opportunities we were given on this journey.
By the time the halaqah ended, the physical toll of the day finally caught up with us. We brushed our teeth, packed our bags for the next day, and prepared for bed. At around 9:00 PM, the room went completely silent as everyone quickly drifted off to sleep. We knew we needed every ounce of rest we could get, because the following day would bring the official start of our KBM (Kegiatan Belajar Mengajar) and a whole new set of challenges.