Arrived and survived

I've been in Hanoi for 24 hours now. I've had a good night's sleep and started my day with a fabulous breakfast included in my 28$ room. First off, must say that yesterday when I arrived in Tokyo for my layover I saw the beautiful sunset right next to Mount Fuji. One of the most beautiful things you can see while your plane is landing!!! Unfortunately, couldn't get a picture because my camera was in the overhead compartment but my mental picture will last me a lifetime.

OK, so for Hanoi Vietnam... what is there to say. I went exploring the city by foot on my own but met some nice people. The city is HECTIC, especially Old Quarters where I am staying. So after lunch, I needed a bit of refuge from the motorbike sounds and all the horns blowing. I went to west lake which is Hoan Kiem lake, with a temple in the middle of it. I sat there reading and met a German girl. We made plans to meet up for dinner so for dinner I was eating in a small yet hidden restaurant with 6 Germans. When I say hidden I'm not joking we had to go through tunnels and at times I wasn't sure where the heck we were going. The dinner was nice and cost me 65 000 Vietnamese Dongs which is a little less than 6$ but I'm not exactly sure how the money works just yet. I'm really not comfortable so I didn't buy much today in part because of that but also because it's only my first day here. Many more to go. After dinner the German girl, an Australian and I walked around the city at night. It's really different at night. The night market was still open and they sell soooo many stuff and a lot of beggers also. Not the usual beggers I know but children, crippled or really old people. They honestly try to get the pity money. I realised that I wouldn't be ready for India because of all the beggers. Vietnam has a few but it's apparently nothing compared to India. I also saw what looked like a tiny bird on a stick. It was grilled of course but I had already eaten and wouldn't have tried it anyhow. The beek is still on it. After our night time walking German girl (her name is Katarina) went to the water puppet theatre. That type of theatre is in Vietnamese folklore but as many folklore it's mostly tourists who go to see it :-) It was nice but I didn't understand a word they said. One hour of that was enough because if it had been any longer I would have slept. There were dragon boat puppets in the show... yahoo! That was the best part.

Off to sleep I go, it's 11h20 pm here which means it exactly 11h20 am for you in Canada. I'll try to keep you posted.

Comments or emails are appreciated!