I've got a touring visa, all I can do is tour
Favorite Part of the Day: Lunch! Banh Nem (At least I think that's what it's called.) Nomnomnom
To celebrate May Day in Vietnam- cause they still got that communist thing going on- we went to the heart of Hanoi. We were shown around by two very cool locals that go to univeristy there. I really lucked out with the weather since there was a huge thunderstorm that literally shook our windows on the 13th floor.
That's right, my room is on the 13th floor. I thought those don't exist anymore due to superstition, but to their credit (sort of) they did try to cover it up by saying our floor is 12A and all the rooms on our floor begin with 12a on our doors. I only figured out we were on the 13th floor because the Scottie volunteer is really fit and likes to take the stairs and so since she's like twice my age, I felt that I should at least save some pride and walk all 12A flights of stairs wtih her. Turns out as I walked up past the 12th floor, there is no half floor for 12A, it's just the 13th floor. I also found out because the few times I take the elevator (ohkay fine, Ialways usually take the elevator when the Scottie isn't with me), the number after 12 is in fact labeled 13.
Anyway, due to the huge thunderstorm, the weather was unusually cool- but obviously not cool enough to wear long pants. (Seriously, how do they wear long garments without dying of heatstroke?) To be fair, I did wear long pants- ohkay technically, they're leggings, but I was still hot!) Perfect weather for touring! Thank goodness, otherwise I would have been an unhappy camper. Just kidding...but seriously. We took the public bus, and due to much warning from a lot of people, I put my bag in front me and held onto it for dear life. Definitely unnecessary.
We started the tour with The Museum of Literature which is basically a memorial for the first university in Hanoi, and possibly Vietnam? (which just goes to show you how much I took away from that visit...just kidding). It was really cool seeing all the stone turtles with all the 'honor roll' student names on it. Tried to look for my mom and dad's names but they probably didn't make the cut...awkward turtle. It was also cool to imagine where all the students took their tests in the middle of the area. I can just feel that test anxiety- oh jeez I don't want to check how I did on my finals :/ Further in is the temple for the best teacher ever, no big deal. Of course I sent him a prayer... here's to graduating college!!! Uh oh, hope I didn't just jinx it.
We went to see the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum (ew) and the surrounding government buildings. So we walk by this really cool ornate yellow house and it looked really important but we couldn't find a sign (in English anyway) to tell us what it was. So we were standing by the gate and we were looking through one of the volunteer's bag for her traveler's guide when this soldier guard ran at us and grabbed our bag. Apparently it looked like we were going to terrorize the Vietnam President (Prime Minister? What is it called under communism? How are they still communist?) house?!!? Oooops. Well he has a very nice and yellow house.
Then we went to another temple and it was by the lake. There was a big golden turtle. (What's with them and turtles? Somebody's obsessed..) After, we went to Opera House and Musuem of History, and finished at Old Quarters and walked around for a while since it was so bug, exploring shops and food.
By walk, I actually mean dodge motorbikes and busses and cars. I learned that the trick is to walk deliberate and kind of slow to give them enough time to like not run me over. Also another thing I noticed was that median lines are more of a suggestion here. My bus was literally driving in the middle of the road (though to be fair, that road didn't have any lines to distinguish lanes... WHY?)
Tomorrow is Orientation day for volunteering!! Woohoo since that is basically the main reason why I'm here, at least according to my parents :) It will be nice to get more information on what I'll be doing and how I can change lives. It's still kind of surreal that I'm here- a 13 hour time difference that separates me from home. I've already seen so much of Hanoi - it's rustic charm and French influence in its buildings. Everyone's been so nice- even when I repeatedly tell them I don't want to buy anything.
To celebrate May Day in Vietnam- cause they still got that communist thing going on- we went to the heart of Hanoi. We were shown around by two very cool locals that go to univeristy there. I really lucked out with the weather since there was a huge thunderstorm that literally shook our windows on the 13th floor.
That's right, my room is on the 13th floor. I thought those don't exist anymore due to superstition, but to their credit (sort of) they did try to cover it up by saying our floor is 12A and all the rooms on our floor begin with 12a on our doors. I only figured out we were on the 13th floor because the Scottie volunteer is really fit and likes to take the stairs and so since she's like twice my age, I felt that I should at least save some pride and walk all 12A flights of stairs wtih her. Turns out as I walked up past the 12th floor, there is no half floor for 12A, it's just the 13th floor. I also found out because the few times I take the elevator (ohkay fine, I
Anyway, due to the huge thunderstorm, the weather was unusually cool- but obviously not cool enough to wear long pants. (Seriously, how do they wear long garments without dying of heatstroke?) To be fair, I did wear long pants- ohkay technically, they're leggings, but I was still hot!) Perfect weather for touring! Thank goodness, otherwise I would have been an unhappy camper. Just kidding...but seriously. We took the public bus, and due to much warning from a lot of people, I put my bag in front me and held onto it for dear life. Definitely unnecessary.
We started the tour with The Museum of Literature which is basically a memorial for the first university in Hanoi, and possibly Vietnam? (which just goes to show you how much I took away from that visit...just kidding). It was really cool seeing all the stone turtles with all the 'honor roll' student names on it. Tried to look for my mom and dad's names but they probably didn't make the cut...awkward turtle. It was also cool to imagine where all the students took their tests in the middle of the area. I can just feel that test anxiety- oh jeez I don't want to check how I did on my finals :/ Further in is the temple for the best teacher ever, no big deal. Of course I sent him a prayer... here's to graduating college!!! Uh oh, hope I didn't just jinx it.
Then we went to another temple and it was by the lake. There was a big golden turtle. (What's with them and turtles? Somebody's obsessed..) After, we went to Opera House and Musuem of History, and finished at Old Quarters and walked around for a while since it was so bug, exploring shops and food.
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| Opera House |
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| Museum of History |
By walk, I actually mean dodge motorbikes and busses and cars. I learned that the trick is to walk deliberate and kind of slow to give them enough time to like not run me over. Also another thing I noticed was that median lines are more of a suggestion here. My bus was literally driving in the middle of the road (though to be fair, that road didn't have any lines to distinguish lanes... WHY?)
Tomorrow is Orientation day for volunteering!! Woohoo since that is basically the main reason why I'm here, at least according to my parents :) It will be nice to get more information on what I'll be doing and how I can change lives. It's still kind of surreal that I'm here- a 13 hour time difference that separates me from home. I've already seen so much of Hanoi - it's rustic charm and French influence in its buildings. Everyone's been so nice- even when I repeatedly tell them I don't want to buy anything.
Hello Alexia,
ReplyDeleteI am Janice, your auntie, I live in Ho CHI MINH City, my handphone number is 0913716696.
when you arrive HO CHI MINH City, Please contact me.
Have a nice trip!
see you are having fun and food looks gooooood! becareful crossing the street. go slowly and dont hesitate back and forth. everynone is enjoying your blog, keep it going. use viber to call and text home. be safe!
ReplyDelete