First day in Ha Noi

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This morning we were kicked out of our hotel. The strange man in charge told us something to where we understood this: he didn't know we wanted to stay more than one night, plus, people are coming back from Halong Bay and need a place to stay. So he called up a "friend" hotel, Serenity, and they agreed to house us for the same $15.00 a night even though their lowest rate is normally $20.00. Serenity is really nice, just like Liberty, and you get a free breakfast, there's free wifi and two computers in the lobby, and they clean every day. We were put in room #602. It's like climbing up a bell tower to get to the room and it leaves you panting just as a bell tower would. But it's nice, so I don't really care.

Today was our day to plan our tours and trains and just sort of figure out what we are going to do in Vietnam. So we decided we should walk around asking prices, as well as finding a USB 3G for Ronald so he has more flexibility for travelling. We also wanted to find a place to dye his hair bright green and see Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum.

Our first stop, not surprisingly, was for lunch at Caballos (Hang Ma in Vietnamese). Then we went and struggled for a while with buying the USB 3G because the workers sort of spoke English, but not well enough to really communicate, so we ended up using google translate. Then we walked over to the Water Puppet Theatre because I'd heard things about it and wanted to check it out. When we got there at 18:00, we found out a show was starting at 18:30, so we went ahead and bought Class II tickets for the show and then walked around until we had to be back. Along this walk we found a hair salon who said that if we go back tomorrow, they'll have the right green, so I hope that works out!

When we got seated, Ronald at 6'1'', was literally crammed into the seat with his knees and back pressed hard against the midget seats. No idea where "Class I" was supposed to be...the front row, maybe? Anyways, needless to say he was pretty darn uncomfortable for the show. I have to admit that my first thought when the puppets came out was that the people were underneath and maybe there was some sort of snorkling-like tube that let them breath. That thought took about a split second to go through my head, sadly, but then I realized they were just using bamboo sticks from behind the set. It was interesting to see and I'm sure I would have loved it more if I'd known what was going on...the live band/singers was nice and also interesting to watch -- they have some pretty crazy instruments here.

Then we went to the City View Cafe, which was at the top of a building we later discovered was filled with bars with terrace seating. There Ronald ordered a White Russian (not on the menu -- after explaining what it was to the waitress, she brought a Black Russian with a little side of milk) and I got a Pina Colada again...I should stop doing that, they're really not that great. While we were sitting out there, Ronald was working a bit and then a show came on below us, located pretty much in the middle of the street. We did a lil internet search and found out it was a celebration for the founding of the Vietnam People's Army. The show acts were as follows: a group of 5 or so not-so-great break dancers in loose clothing, a girl in a sparkly outfit standing on a sparkly table and balancing on boards which she stacked one by one and set on top of a rolling cushion, a very sad magician, a karate routine from some girl, two really embarrassing clowns, and some monkey trainers. After this we walked away on our way back home. We passed the Kangaroo Cafe, the REAL one as all the signs so clearly state, and I think we're gonna use them as our tour guides to Halong Bay and Sa Pa Valley!

Technical Details
* communist
* they don't all have them, but the bikers who do wear helmets are sporting some sort of baseball helmet with a little bill, though there's no ear protection
* there are a TON of women street vendors who: 1. wear cone-shaped straw hats 2. sometimes wear face masks 3. carry a person-sized balance on them at all times with their product/food balancing in straw/bamboo bowls on either end of a long piece of wood that balances on one shoulder
* there are a ton of shops, and the most interesting part is that yes, they have the rows and rows of people selling the same things just like in Korea, but you also may have the trashiest looking place right next to a French boutique
* many meals and rests are taken on the sidewalks where sellers site with a small sign advertising whatever they have, and people crouch down into the tiny makeshift chairs provided -- they basically just make their own roving restaurants

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Thang Long Water puppet theatre information
Showtimes: 14:15, 15:30, 17:00, 18:30, 20:00, 20:15. Not all of these play every day, it depends on the week.
Prices: Hang (Class) I: 60,000 -- Hang II: 40,000
Show lasts about 45 minutes

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Photos

brunch drinks
at Caballos

woman
carrying her groceries

balloon vendor
no the only one...they're all in the middle of the intersections

ummm
they looked like a nut, but when peeled are white and taste sort of like coconut

intersection
by the lake

gravestones
he's carving one now on the right

Comments

[Tia]

So interesting
Loved this entry and the fire in the street and the woman with the groceries. And the fact that you can get a gravestone carved in the street.... guess you could build a fire and cook out while you wait.

[tia]

And
While you're there, I think you should learn how to make the spring rolls and dipping sauce and the carved drink ornaments... looked like a beautiful goldfish!

[gibbogirl]

we learned in thailand for our cooking course...its actually really easy as long as you have the right paper