Day 1 in Hanoi is in the record books. We started the day heading toward the lake area near our hotel. The roads are closed to traffic, so it’s a relaxing saunter. It’s a pretty area, with a fancy bridge and a cool looking tower in the middle of the lake. But our favorite part was this area with rows and rows of electric cars for the kids to drive. It took me a while to realize that the cars were remotely operated by the parents, after I questioned the logic of putting an infant behind the wheel! We roamed around hanoi, soon learning that once you leave the lake area, it’s a free-for-all trying to walk. On the sidewalk there are trees growing out of the concrete, parked scooters and vendors selling or servicing items. Not to mention the people who set up shop cooking (and eating at small tables) in the middle the path! One is forced onto the street to do battle with the cars and millions of scooters, which sometimes are carrying whole families or the odd refrigerator. We had to study up on how to cross the street, as there are no ebbs in traffic flow. You step out, walk at a steady pace, and the drivers go around you. Scary the first time, old hat by the end of the day! It wasn’t long before we found a craft beer bar, then a brewery! After a few, we decided to buy an egg roll from a woman who was squatting on the sidewalk frying up stuff. Normal. She seemed to ignore us as we asked to buy two, which was happening a lot when it came to service, but five minutes later another woman appeared, took our money and the squatter handed up two perfectly cooked rolls. They were banging! As we walked, we just happened by the famous “train street” where the tracks run through what looks like a neighborhood, exceptionally close to the buildings. Of course those resourceful vietnamese set up food stands and makeshift cafes for tourists. Sadly, it’s recently been blocked off by the police and the vendors have been shut down. Because, well, death by train is not so uncommon it turns out. However, it hasn’t stopped the kiddies from playing on the tracks.
We made our way back to the hotel to change before meeting up with our street food tour. After finding our tour guide “Tommy” we headed out to find out just how far we could push our hips and knees. I cannot for the life of me understand the idea of the low stools that are everywhere here! No higher than 10 inches off the ground, they are the most popular seating choice of the vietnamese. Occasionally you will see places that have slightly higher stools…but sometimes lower too. As we followed Tommy into places we never would have found on our own, we said a little prayer at each venue for the high rise 12 inch stools. At the first stop Dayne made the mistake of attempting to move closer to the table once seated and toppled over. Not gonna lie, I’m glad it wasn’t me.
We ate delectable things while precariously perched, and trying not to fall over. I never stopped worrying if my knees were going to give up and go home. But the tour was great fun, the other couple we were with were lively canadians, and Tommy was a trooper, even bringing us into a local beer joint when he learned we all liked beer. Overall a great time. A great day. But, I think I pulled a muscle sitting.
Drink and Go Places 