Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Hanoi


I'm staying at the Hanoi Hilton. Seriously. Apart from being charged US$4.50 to launder one pair of pants, I have been well-treated. It took me a while to realize that cab drivers don't understand where I want to go unless I pronounce it "Hinton".



It would be difficult to overstate the popularity of the motorbike here. I lived in Cairo for four years and had no compunction about crossing streets there that would make some of you weep with terror, but I find crossing the street in Hanoi daunting.



You don't see many of these anymore. They should hang on to this; it'll be worth something someday.



Uncle Ho looks out on the vendors selling Diet Coke for US dollars at the propaganda-heavy Military Museum.



Captured US military equipment on display at the Military Museum.



Another shot of the fragments of downed airplane at the Military Museum.



The Cot Co Flag Tower along the Hanoi Citadel.



Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, unfortunately closed for the two months a year of Ho maintenance.



At the Confucian Temple of Literature.



A statue of Confucius at the Temple of Literature.



At the Temple of Literature.



At the Temple of Literature.



Unable to decide between the crispy fried crap, the crap steamed with beer, the sweet and sour sauteed crap, and the steamed crap boat, I opted for the spring rolls.



I did, however, have some sweat cakes. They were good.


Bound for Beijing tomorrow.
8:20 AM |
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