Hanoi Day 2

Okay so the most dangerous thing you can do in Hanoi is cross the street. You literally have to close both eyes and just pray and DO NOT stop walking. It is a hell of an experience. We have had some super meals here in Hanoi. I had a goat cheese and apple salad; a mango, avocado, prawn salad with chili dressing; vermicilli noodles with morning glory; tofu, spring rolls, and veggies.... it has been fabulous.

Yesterday we had a talk from PEPFAR and it was really great. It was so cool to hear how they run PEPFAR so differently in Asia than in Africa. Also, I loved hearing how the Vietnam PEPFAR gets around all the funding restrictions. The women was great and gave us M&Ms when we got her questions correct. Yes, I did earn a bag.

Last night we also went to see the Water Puppet show. It was awesome. It was indoor, which I didn't know, and really really cool. While it was in Vietnamese you could understand most of it. Also, today I got to buy some fun gifts! I pretty much love them!

Today we to see the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, this is the big prison where all the American POWs were held during the war, including John McCain. It was awesome to see and had some great pictures of what Hanoi looked like pre and during the bombings. Then, we headed to the temple of literature which is very old, built circa 1070 and is dedicated to Confucius. It was all in Chinese but it was beautiful and oh so Asian looking. Tonight we are heading out in a bus to see the "red light district of Hanoi" but we are staying in the bus and basically doing a drive by. Then, we are going to a wine and tapas bar.

Oh, in Vietnam the famous Pho is a breakfast food. Yes, the eat spicy beef boodle soup with noodles for breakfast. We tried to order it tonight for dinner and got SHOT DOWN! (no pun intended with the prison topics above).

It is so hot in Hanoi. I was drenched in sweat already today and you kind of just get use to it and drink cold beer and water as often as you can.

Also, thimbles are NOT an Asian thing. Sadly I have only found them once, at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, and they don't say Thailand. I am on the lookout but I will be begging Nicky to continue the search I am sure.

We booked our Saturday trip to Halong Bay for $18 a pop. Day trip, transportation and lunch included. NOT TOO BAD!!! I am pretty excited.

Still no snake wine to be tried, but I am optimistic about the potential!

Can I just say I am a little sad I am not in Germany tonight to witness the craziness that ensues as Germany and Turkey face off in the Eurocup Semi-finals??? I really wish I was down on Konigstrasse seeing the maddness up close. Guess I shall have to settle for the maddness of the Hanoi moto bikes instead, sad life I have right? Alright, time to watch some Asian MTV and wait for this bus trip to commence. Later.