note on staying alive in Hanoi

Even though it seems right, even though your instincts are telling you to run, even though your heart is pounding and you think your seconds are numbered, do not, DO NOT run across the street.

How to Cross the Street in Hanoi:

* Step out. Look both ways (one way streets mean nothing)
* Disregard the green walk signs (red lights mean absolutely nothing)
* Begin to slowly walk across
* Do not run
* Do not make sudden movements

If you can do these things, which completely go against most peoples' instincts, and resembles the real life version of Frogger, you will stay alive in Hanoi.

Over Uncle Ho's Dead Body We Will!

Eventful morning, starting with a very exciting moto-taxi ride out to see Ho Chi Minh's preserved body laid to rest in his mausoleum. We negotiated a solid $10,000 dong off price (a whopping ~$0.60), but I was so impressed with our drivers' utter disdain for red lights that I ended up paying the price they demanded initially. Important note when viewing Uncle Ho's body: you WILL show him the proper respect. This means pants covering your knees, shirts covering your shoulders, and absolutely no talking or smiling as you shuffle past.

All right, truth be told the mausoleum was closed today (my faith in Lonely Planet is on the wane), but those rules are legit and the moto-taxi ride was exciting enough on it's own to justify the 5km walk back to our hotel.

Other highlights include helping to lift a motorcycle off it's driver and an resulting awkward silence as he nursed his crushed leg and I stood around ineffectually asking if he was alright in a language he clearly didn't understand; and having a Bia Hoi (watery beer for $0.16) on the street last night.

Good Morning, Vietnam.

Arriving to a new country at night is a bizarre experience. Everything is hitting you at once - the thick, intensely hot air, new smells, new (loud) sounds - but the sights escape you.

Even stranger is waking up the next morning and being in this new place, almost as though you were transported there Star Trek style. Hanoi greeted us this morning with air conditioning (thank you, Alex McCauley) and then again with hot, humid air, traffic consisting almost entirely of motor bikes, breezes, giant spiky fruits, bustling markets, live eels, roasted pork in tofu buns, silk clothing, bamboo, fake Chaco sandals (I told you mom!), lots of people wearing fake Chaco sandals, "French" style cafes, people that never seem to sweat, and much more.

I like Hanoi - I think we'll stay a while.

4, 7, 2.

We will be in Southeast Asia for four months. We hope to see and explore seven different countries. Matt is bringing two pairs of underwear and two pairs of socks. Can he do it? Even though it is superspecial $18 underwear, and moisture-wicking biking socks, will he make it? Or will he be forced to buy Vietnamese made normal underwear right from the source?

Either way, we leave on Thursday morning for Hanoi, and reading this blog will be your best bet in keeping up with our adventures (and our undergarments) in Southeast Asia. We hope you will check in every once in a while to see what we're up to, what weird stuff we're eating, and what cool things we've seen.

In case you were wondering, I, Lia, am bringing 14 pairs of underwear and am happy with my choice.