Vietnam - Day 2 Hanoi

After feeling well rested and realizing that I was actually on vacation instead of working, I came down to the lobby of the guesthouse - Hanoi Guesthouse in the Old Quarter - and was surprised with a free breakfast. That's when I first discovered that pho was actually more of a breakfast food in Vietnam. Of course it was readily available anytime of day but the norm was to have it in the morning here. And all this time I thought the best time was after drinking.

I ventured around the Old Quarter dodging motorbikes and cars. My chinatown crosswalking skills finally paid off. Vietnam has by far the craziest unorganized but non-accidentally place I've ever seen in the world. Many people were mistaking me as a local with their random Vietnamese outburst. An old lady even grabbed my hand for me to help her cross the road of traffic. I really wasn't sure if I was helping her or she was helping me.

I finally got a call from some locals my homie Josh knew in Hanoi. That's when the food tasting began. From what I recall, we made the rounds. Mixed fruit in a cup with ice and condense milk. Yogurt with black rice. Close to boba but on a plate, sorta Hong Kong style on the third stop. Then dinner, traditional Vietnamese dinner with snails and beef on a stick. Hot pot style with crab brain as broth. Cooking thin meat and noodles. Damn was it good!

Karaoke was full. It was actually just a dudes living room turned into a business. So we ventured to a bar where the ring leader, Thinh taught us drinking games. But since no one drank, it became slap in the face game. My new friend Huyen got the bulk of the slaps. I felt sorry for her but not everyone else. But even with one Heinken, I was still sharp as a nail.

Its always a better experience hanging out with some locals. They know where to eat, how to drive in the crazy traffic, and you get to experience the daily life in Hanoi which was avoid the heat! So thanks a million guys.

With only time for one side trip from Hanoi, it came down to Halong Bay (beaches, caves, boatride, snorkeling, and overcrowded tourist) or up into the mountains of Sapa (village tour, homestay with the Hmong people, trekking into the valley, and good ole cultural experience). So tomorrow night I take an overnight train to Sapa. Oh how fun overnight trains are!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry