Back in Hanoi

Ahh, we were welcomed back to Hanoi by warmth - around 90 degrees. Two days later it was back to around the normal temperature for this time of year - in the 60's, but then continued to drop into the 50's. Not too bad, except a little cool on the motorbike. We are thankful that as we have gone out it has not been raining, though the forecast was rain everyday - it has only been raining at night. Cold and rain don't mix well on the motorbike (right Joseph?).

We began house hunting almost immediately, but due to it being Tet, the Lunar New Year, we have only been able to see 6 houses. Nothing promising yet. We see more houses tomorrow.

We are staying at a friends house by West lake as we look for a house. A day after we arrived in Hanoi, our friends left on holiday for the Tet break - and Brittany is getting to experience taking care of a dog and cat, at least some of it anyway.

My first drive across town was interesting. The city has continued to block one direction on major and minor intersections that usually have major congestion. Most surprising was near where we used to live. As you go south on Lang street (it is on Google Maps), you can not cross the intersection of Tran Xuy Hung. You have to turn right, then make a U turn to the left, and then turn right on Tran xuy Hung. At this intersection they have a type of metal fence. On many of the minor intersections that have caused major congestion, they have put in a median and planted grass - so the intersection no longer exists. You have to turn and do a U turn further down to get across the street. I have been told that this strategy seems to be helping the traffic congestion. I'll try to have a picture in the future.

As I made my trip across town I was reminded again of house dangerous it can be. I saw this poor woman who had been on a bicycle laying on the ground, surrounded by a group of people. From what I could tell, a motorbike had crashed into her while she was riding her bike. I hoped she was not too hurt as she was moving.

As we are taking care of our friends dog, I have had the pleasure of taking the dog for walks in the morning. On these walks I have seen some very pretty birds - this morning I saw a bird with a very blue coat, an orange breast a long beak and about 5 or 6 inches tall. Wish I had my camera with me. I also saw, in what looked like a pool of water cut off from the lake, hundreds of fish with their heads above water looking for food. That is until I poked my head over the rail and they all decided it was safer to disappear. On the sidewalk I take the dog on, there are periodic man whole covers (but rectangular). As these are connected to the lake, a man had his fishing line down the whole. I'm not sure if his odds were better or not.

This was a long post - but much to tell in the short time being here. Next blog - about our house hunting experience.