I specifically purchased and brought a "skort" so that I could ride on the back of motorbikes even when trying to appear modest. (Heh.)  It was simply much too terrifying in Hanoi. Traffic there is probably 90% motos (motorcyles and scooters), 5% cars, and 5% bikes, and there are practically no traffic lights. Crossing the street on foot was ( Read more... )

I decided before we left that I was going to buy a conical hat as soon as possible after we arrived and wear it the entire 3 weeks. I bought one on our second day, outside the Ho Chi Minh Museum, for VND 20,000, or $1.25. Over the next few days, I struggled with tying the strap (a piece of net cloth), tying it tight enough (the slightest breeze ( Read more... )

I am very much NOT in New York right now. I'm in Hanoi. It's...um...AWESOME.

Touristic (been meeting Europeans) accomplishments so far:
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Ho Chi Minh Museum and One Pillar Pagoda
Temple of Literature
cyclo ride
Water Puppet performance
Overnight-on-boat tour to Halong Bay
Hanoi night market
And, of course, a variety of foods known ( Read more... )