Day 1: Hanoi

The Hanoi Airport is an hour drive from the city by nice road and much of the land is filled with rice paddies and vegetables. Our hotel is in Old Quarter Hanoi, and can only be accessed via foot (or motorcycle if you are so inclined). 

The staff in our tiny 11-room hotel were lovely and served tea before showing us to our room. The beds were decorated with rose petals and the room stocked with a laptop and snacks in addition to the minibar.

Old Quarter Hanoi is divided into blocks by trade...sewing notions, beads, jewelry, and bamboo street. The sidewalks are filled with tiny tables and chairs for street food diners, or by merchandise and motorcycles, so walking in the streets is required. We share the streets with motorcyles and cars, a few bicycles. With no traffic lights or stop signs, crossing the street becomes a challenge. Barbara and I began clothing eachother and waiting for a break in traffic, then darting across crying "mama," but ended up learning the technicque of walking slowly and making no sudden moves. You see if you walk slowly enough, they drive around you.

The weather was cold and drizzly (63 degrees) and the misty atmosphere of old Hanoi made me realize that the atmosphere in Bladerunner must have been inspired by Hanoi.