Good morning Vietnam

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I know that is very cliche, but I have always wanted to say it!!!
So, here we are, it is Sun morning, jet lag behind us, and it looks like a beautiful Hanoi day.
We spent the day yesterday being overwhelmed by the sights, sounds and smells of the old quarter. Women walk down the street selling their wares from baskets carried on poles slung over their shoulders. It is all very strange indeed. Motor bikes are the transportation of choice for the masses, and it is quite the art to walk down the street trying to avoid them. The sidewalks are the parking spots for the bikes, so you must navigate your way along avoiding being hit. Crossing the street is yet another adventure, but we have learned from the locals that you just start walking, and we have found that if you just keep going they will avoid you, scarry at first, but gets easier with practice.
We spent most of the day around Hoan Kiem Lake, which is a lake right in the middle of the old quarter. There is a legand about the lake, which is also known as the lake of the restored sword. The lake is apparently still inhabited by large turtles, but that may just be a legand. It was Sat, and a lot of people have the day off, so families with small children, and young lovers go to the lake to enjoy the greenery and a small escape from the hussel and bussel.

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Photos

Hanoi
lady with baskets of fruit and veg

Hanoi
Bikes serve many purposes, no room to ride on this one

Hanoi
chopping meat on the side of the road (yikes, where's the health dept?)

Hanoi
motor bikes everywhere(beep beep)

Hanoi
crossing the street is quite the adventure

Hoan Kiem lake
bridge to small island in middle of lake

Hoan Kiem lake
inside the temple on the island in the lake

Hoan Kiem lake
also in the temple

Hoan Kiem lake
tile depicting legand of the lake

Hanoi
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Comments

[Katrina]

You go all the way to Vietnam ... and there's an Aldo store!

[Katrina]

Sounds like you're having fun! Try not to get run over by bikes. Love the pictures!