Hanoi, not so bad after all

Hanoi was my first encounter with Vietnam. It was quite harsh and unkind. But a few days, on and off Hanoi, helped me to reveal its sweet spots. The nice cheap spots to eat, the tree covered boulevards, the peaceful corners and even nice people, wishing to practice their English.

Hanoi center's street are according to professions. The street shops usually sells whatever the name means. Fortunately, on my last hour there I discovered the candies street! The next day I had a candy party. Needless to say, my belly didn't like the idea of so much sugar at once (Nothing happened, other than a bad feeling)

I see dead people

Today was my Ho Chi Minh day (When I say day I mean the part of the day when I still have the will and power to visit monuments, stand in queues, etc.). I started by visiting his mausoleum. The poor guy's last request was to be burned, but instead someone thought it would be better to display his body for the pleasure of the nation and tourists. So yes, my day started with looking at a dead body. Splendid. The place itself is heavily guarded and you can't blink without someone giving you a nasty look.

Then it was already too late. The whole complex closes up at eleven AM and, although I woke up early, I managed to arrive quite late. So until everything opened up again (except the mausoleum), I went to the Temple of Literature. The place was the first academy built in Vietnam, almost a Milena ago. For me it was a nice place with nice buildings and gardens. Even though it has traffic around it, the place manages to be a nice relaxing green spot.

After that I went for lunch at KOTO. Staring at the desserts of the neighbour table, started a lovely conversation between me and two Australians women, mother and daughter, Jennie and Sophie. They have been traveling in Vietnam for three weeks (if I'm not mistaken) and are about to finish their visit and go back. They are from Melbourne, as four other Australians I met on my Halong Bay tour (a story not told yet). So when I get to Melbourne, I have many nice people to visit. I had a great time and great food, and time just flew by.

I picked myself up and walked back to the guy I started talking about. I went to a nice area around the presidential palace where you can see the places where Ho Chi Minh worked and lived. He was a modest guy, my kind of guy. I was looking for his personal toilets, as nature didn't let me the option to be too interested about anything else. It took me a few minutes to realize that the noises of traffic were absent, so I stayed for a while next to the lovely pond.

My next stop was Ho Chi Minh museum. "Unfortunately" time flew by next to the pond and I arrived to closing time. Bummer...

On one of my walks I noticed a familiar flag on a building. The area is full of embassies so I stumbled upon mine. I took my camera without thinking and two seconds after that I was trapped under five men, elite unit trained and armed to the teeth (The real story is sooo boring, but ok. Each place is guarded by some Vietnamese. One of them saw me and just blow his whistle. All of them are armed with it).

Know One, Teach One

Today I had a great lunch (with a price tag), and at the process made a nice contribution to other than my belly. KOTO

The movie of my life

Kathmandu was a kinder garden compared to Hanoi. Yes, Hanoi has sidewalks, but they are used to park motorcycles. I don't think I've really seen people in Hanoi walking. They just go on their motorcycle between places. They even park inside their home!

I'm trying to follow Lonely Planet's instructions for crossing the road. Basically "don't panic" when traffic is coming directly at you. I just walk and look at the upcoming traffic, increasing my speed when they veer behind me and stopping when they horn.

This far I'm still alive. But the movie of my life did pass in front of my eyes more than once. Since it has become quite long, and the next screening here might be five minutes away, I started watching the trailer instead.