Day one in hanoi, day 4 in vietnam

Despite all news reports and word of mouth accounts, hanoi (a two hour flight north of saigon) is just as hot and humid as down south. However emotions still remain optimistic as we route our way through the communist city to the old quarter an area originaly developed by the french in the late 1800s. Imagine streets as narrow as most american alleys al with two 'lanes' of traffic complete with scooters and bikes in all directions. Safe just to close your eyes and take the 10 steps to get from one side to another.

The old quarter is divided into 36 streets each focusing on a primary craft such as shoes, silks, and flowers. Down any one street is wall to wall shops crammed full of that trade. Going down to one area for food they actually set up long stalls down the center of the street leaving approximately 3 ft of clearance on either side. Turns out to be just enough room for a scooter to drive by (new meaning to drive through). Each stall is selling raw materials for todays dinner. These include raw chicken (with and without heads), unnamed meats, all variety of sea foods and of course ubiquitous vegetables. I have a fairly strong stomach however I was not in any mood for lunch after that walk.

Just as we leave food section of marketplace the downpour hits. Everyone runs to the side of the street where awnings protect shop keepers and pedestrians alike. Within seconds kids and old women run down the street looking for tourists who were caught unawares to sell panchos and umbrellas to. Thankfully the stein family was fully briefed and stocked up. Thankfully a short downpour allowing our tour of the city to continue.

A pagoda in the middle of the lake where it is said a sacred sword is sunk only to emerge when the holy turtle brings it to the surface. The pagoda is complete with a replica of that sacred turtle. Later we see the world famous water puppet show where puppets move along a small pool of water in a theater depicting various scenes from religion including that of holy turtle. Just in the middle of one of the most suspenseful moments of the puppet show almost as if planned an audience member's phone with the standard ringtone let's itself be heard. A moment made for a movie.

Dinner consisted of milkshakes, beers and soda, four dishes all for under 8 dollars. Somehow we don't want to think where all the food came from :-).

That is all for this installment, have an early morning tour tomorrow so early night.

Matthew Stein