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Hey everyone, Sarah again, sorry that Ed hasn't been writing on here but he's in the midst of packing and it just worked out that its me again. Well, today is our last proper day in Vietnam and it feels like we've been here a lifetime. I know we've both become accustomed to the continual honking of mopeds, the stares of the Vietnamese and the all encompassing humidity.
Over the last few days we've done the classic tourist days out; we visited the Temple of Literature, the Musuem of Vietnamese fine arts and another musuem of the revolution. Its funny how propaganda appears so obvious to Westerners who have been taught about the Vietnam war (which is predominantly all either of us knew about Vietnamese history) from a possibly American slant on the war. People are still bitter to some extent; you can really observe the differences in generations - the older men are so angry sometimes on seeing a white face, for example Kirsty was directed off the pavement by an angry Vietnamese man whilst we heard another story of a white girl alone on a bus being told she 'bombed' a man who had a heavily scarred arm. Its seem the Vietnamese have a long memory - and rightly so, on seeing aspects of their history you can't help but feel you're being taught a very different, and more personal, view of the Vietnam war.
But of course, this is not as overwhelming as I may make it sound. The youth stare for different reasons, we've even had a few followers! Which I guess we've learnt to just find entertaining; its a lot easier in a big group. On that note, we have met some really great people due to Kirsty and Jen and many of our friends from Ha long bay being in dorms it really allows you to meet a lot more people who you might not get talking to otherwise. So, from this experience of meeting people through dorms we've decided to save ourselves a bit of money and hopefully improve our own socialising in Oz and dorm it. I never thought I'd say it but, it seems like the best idea. We are now staying in Sydney and Melbourne Base hostels (easy to find on google and highly recommended by tripadvisor and everyone we've met) and in 10 bed dorms so we'll let you know how that goes!
Today we're off to Lenin Park and to get some cheap Vietnamese food as soon as Ed's done packing, its pretty cool what you can find in Hanoi when you don't even go looking for it - most of the streets are organised in almost categories. For example, the other day we were wandering down a street which seemed to only sell paint and apparently there is one which only sells bamboo ladders.
I guess to summarise Hanoi I'd recall seeing Ho Chi Minh's preserved body was mind blowing (I don't think we've mentioned this; basically all the Vietnamese queue up to pay their respects to the preserved Uncle Ho and you have to be uber respectful particularly because you stand out like a sore thumb), eating out on cushions whilst trying catfish, being as bored by the Water puppets as the Vietnamese were, having to ignore any road safety we were ever taught, finding a fairy laggoon within the Halong bay rocks, possibly eating dog, definitely eating snake, and doing karoake after serious drinking in an Irish pub.
Not sure when you guys will next hear from us as we're stuck in airports all tomorrow and the day after then we're hitting Cairns. Its lovely to hear from all of you, mum: that message was huge! So glad you're looking forward to your holiday now and hopefully work will quieten down a bit, love to everyone. Hannah: got your facebook message, glad to hear your driving was as bad as mine ha - what do you think of Harry? I'm sure you'll be fine 😊. Tell me what happened in Spain! Excited for the USA now? Laura: hope T4 on the beach was ace and now the exams are over you're doing little to no work. 😊 Caitlin: update me on your life missy. Dad: all you seem to do at work is have people for work experience gutted, hope its all going ok and you've got a few good books lined up for the holiday!
Ed's people: Sorry that Ed hasn't written on here for a bit but its just worked out that way; I'll make sure he does the next one. He's good - hasn't been to hospital yet which I count as an achievement! He sends his love and thanks for all the details on the tax thing - he doesn't seem too worried about it yet!
Also, anyone who has left me comments on facebook I'm trying not to reply as it gets too complicated so its best to talk to me on here! Lots of love to everyone, we'll chat down under!
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Off to Oz
Pleased to hear that you've had such an interesting time in Vietnam. Hope the travelling goes smoothly and that you have a fair dinkum time down under! Love and hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxx