I've decided that these last few days aren't really going to reveal anything to anyone other than my holiday snaps and a few personal thoughts. Everybody has been to Vietnam so I'm not going to try and compete with everybody else. I'll just write a few lines in my own way to complete the blog as it were and you can read or not as you choose.
The taxi ride to the hostel was more of a Bond car chase than an airport transfer. Getting fed up of the traffic, my driver mounted the pavement at one point and drove for 3-400m on paving until reluctantly rejoining the road. I kid you not. That was new!
The hostel I'm in isn't too bad actually! In the old quarter, $20 a night private room (dorm was $5), hot shower, free beer in the evening etc. etc. Very pleased!
For the few readers that haven't made it to Hanoi, it is very busy, very vibrant and a very exciting city to visit. Lots of hustle and bustle, lots of fake gear (I bought the obligatory Rolex today) It's a cracking place to finish the trip I think.
From top left to bottom right; 1) Tea break at the local barracks. If they fight as well as they march, I reckon the Americans should have another crack. 2) A flag. 3) Uncle Ho at rest. I got told off for having hands in pockets - it's been a while since that last happened - and then having hands on hips. 4) A Vietnamese junction box. Ease of access won over health and safety.
A classic.
You've really got to know your Oliver Stone to get this....
Somebody once wrote Hell is the impossibility of crossing the road in Hanoi. That's what this place feels like. I hate it already and it's only been a day. Some goddamn day, grandma. The hardest thing I think I've ever done is try and cross when there's a green light. Three times today - I don't even know what I'm doing. A moped could be driving three feet in front of me and I wouldn't know it. I'm so tired. It's scary cause nobody tells me how to do anything cause I'm new and nobody cares about the new guys, they don't even want to know your name. The unwritten rule is a news guy's life isn't worth as much cause he hasn't put his time in yet - and they say if you're gonna get killed in the Nam it's better to get it in the first few hours, the logic being; you don't suffer that much.
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