Corner bars and universities...

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just like home, but in Vietnam!

Ha Noi- the old capital of Vietnam- was the first stop in our southern trek down Vietnam. Fresh off the plan and into cab, we picked our way through the throngs and throngs of motorbikes into the Old Quarter where we found (besides more motorbikes) narrow streets lined with food stalls, restaurants, shops, and homes.

The favorite part of this city is the Bier Hoias (I think that's how it's spelled....). These are little shops on the corners of the busy streets that sell home brew at a cheap price. We had 8 for one dollar. And there were the tiniest stools and little kid chairs to sit in. All the backpackers gathered here so it was a fun little bar of sorts.

We went to a really old set of buildings that is the first university and saw scary water puppets.

Besides the beer stops, I thought the most interesting place was the B52 Memorial. A B52 was shot down during the war and a memorial was erected around it. There were anti-aircraft machines from the Vietnam side on display and each one had how many aircraft they were responsible for downing. Defiantly an interesting thing to see. There were also bonsai trees all over the memorial which is supposed to bring peace.

The city was crazy with motorbikes and it was hard to walk around without dodging both them and the ladies with straw rice hats selling things in baskets- but it was fantastic! Look at the photos...

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Photos

Here we are
This is a little lake in the city centre- we stopped and had a glass o' wine here

B52 Memorial
The sign on the street indicating the memorial.

Anti-aircraft machinery
Used to bring down planes in the war

Back to school...
At the Temple of Literature which was Vietnam’s first university built in 1070. This is me and my bud the turtle o knowlage.

Scary!!!!
Scary water puppets! I can sense the watcing me at night...

Beer!
This is the little beer corner stand

Beer mobile
Kegs delivered via motorbike. Notice the name? It is, in fact, the nectar of the gods