Taking a shower. One really has to wonder whether it’s even worth the hassle. I take 5 minutes getting what I need from the locker and storing away what I don’t need. Then (and assuming that none of the other 8 in this shared dorm room are using the one shower) I cram into it’s cozy unlockable stall. There’s no racks or hooks to put my clothes on so on the floor they go and I just have to hope that I direct the water flow so that it DOESN’T spray all over my already semi-damp dirty clothes. So far on all attempts I have failed miserably and everything I have worn and intend to wear has got a good spraying. Not that it matters mind as it only takes another ten minutes and I’m already glistening with sweat. The word ‘glistening’ conjures up a far nicer image than ‘sweating like a pig’. So, I glisten. I glisten like a diamond. Not that I’m complaining mind, I love Hanoi. I really should buy the T-shirt.
The flight was uneventful. That’s how I like my flights. Leaving the airport at Bangkok for my changeover the humid heat really brought back memories and although I thought I missed it I’m now not sure I do. Hanoi is not what I expected although that’s not to say it’s bad. It’s not like Cambodia where everyone is pushy to sell and in nearly all instances an apologetic ‘no’ in the only language I know is enough for them to move on with a smile. Further to that it took half a day before someone offered me the green stuff and a little over a day before being offered a dodgy massage. I don’t think there was a ten minute interval in Cambodia where I wasn’t offered both. That said I suppose I don’t recall ever being offered opium before. ….so I bought a kilo and sent it home*. Crossing the road is an adventure and if I only had a second to describe this city I would have to say it’s a maze. I’m lost multiple times everyday and I’m starting to realize just how much I’ve come to rely on technology over the simple map. It’s crammed, a swarming hive of motorcycles that travel so close they could almost pass for being one very unusual looking machine. It’s dusty, hot, humid, dirty and very noisy but so far I’m loving it…. and am being incredibly envious of some of the locals who are walking around in jeans and aren’t breaking a sweat.
Tomorrow I’m moving hostel to the newer and better equipped ‘sister’ lodge that also shares the same name as this one, ‘Hanoi Backpackers Hostel’. The new one supposedly has power points in the lockers which although might sound weird it’s nice to be able to charge something up while you’re out getting lost. The down side for me is that everyone in there looks to be the crew that just got off the plane from Bali. It has a big party vibe but it’s bigger, cleaner and also has an offsite and secure parking area… may come in handy. It appears to be in a bigger ‘tourist’ area with an obligatory ‘Reggae Bar’ and a place across the road that sells mixed drinks by the bucket and advertises that it only closes when the last patron can no longer stand. It does however seem to have more food stalls a greater variety of stores and streets to explore.
Things are cheaper than I thought for a large city. Currently my daily expenses including my accommodation would not exceed $25.
Chicken and mushroom soup, noodles with seasonal vegetables and... I think it was beef. $3.50 Loving street stalls.
I have no plans to leave Hanoi just yet although the tourist trap that is Ha Long bay does call.
*sarcasm. Recognize
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