Impressions 2

2013-01-17T15:57:09.748Z

89 Hàng Mã, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. He wanted to be cremated.

Another day another absolutely exhausted Brett. There is so much I would like to say. My experience in Hanoi is truly amazing. Any hard core fans of Top Gear know about the episode where the three hosts went to Vietnam and rode mopeds there. Well after seeing rush hour there Ive gotta say that the hosts really had balls. If anyone want to talk about crazy la drivers or chicago drivers or whatever city is your choice it cant hold a candle to Hanoi. That said riding a bike in Hanoi is amazing. And so is my friend Minhs mothers food.

Temple of Literature. First University of Vietnam in 1070!

Railroad tracks with homes

Hanoi is an amazing city, and I found myself walking all over it, wanting to explore every little nook and cranny. In fact, I did walk all over the city. No surprises, I got lost. Not once. Not even twice. But thrice I stood bewildered, looking at my map wondering where I went wrong. Please don't misunderstand, its not that I got lost because of Hanoi's streets. Thankfully, Vietnam uses the roman alphabet so every street can be read and understood. Its not because I can't read maps, because I can, rather well. But rather, I have a short memory for which way I am supposed to go and tend to follow my feet more than the map, a rather ragged, wrinkled rolled up piece of paper in my hand, forgotten more often than not. So I followed my feet... for 14 miles. On my journey, I got to see such sights as President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and home, the Temple of Literature, the train station, the Old Quarter, Turtle Temple, West Lake and the nearby Botanical Gardens, and Hang Gai, the famous street for silk. After reading my guide book, I expected there to be so much silk it was hanging from the balconies. It wasn't. Nonetheless a great street to visit and very fun city to check out.