Day #7 - Visit Hanoi city centre

The Lost soldier memorial

Today was day to go to the Old Quarter of Hanoi and visit some historic monuments of the city. 

The day started early, CSDS local supporters came to give us a tour around the city centre. We walked through some little roads (looked a bit like a gueto) to get to the bus stop and then go to the city centre. Once we were on the bus I was surprised with how much respect everyone one has for the older people. The moment someone older would get in the bus, a couple of people would stand to give the seat straight away. It didn't need to be an elderly... just someone older than you. And men would do the same with women. There was no need to ask or just direct to the seat. The moment they would get in the bus, someone would give the seat straight away. It's amazing to see. There is no need for priority seats around here... people are just polite!

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

First stop: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh was the General that kicked the Americans ass out of Vietnam during the war. He wanted freedom for his country and he made it, then he became Prime Minister and after President and all Vietnamese are thankful to him for the independence of the country. Therefore the Mausoleum, to worship and to remember that "Nothing is more precious than freedom and independency" (by Ho Chi Minh). 

To get into the Mausoleum area is not easy, there is a lot of rules but anyone can go. You need to cover your knees and you can not show your shoulders, the queue is massive and when you get inside the Mausoleum... Is just impressive. I felt goose bumps. I don't really believe that the body in the Mausoleum is the real one but the truth is... it feels powerful to see how much he is important to the Vietnamese and how much he has done for his country. To me this is impressive. Ho Chi Minh died on Vietnam independent day, 2nd of September and apparently every 2nd of September it rains and Vietnamese believe it is the sky/gods crying for Ho Chi Minh.

"You can kill 10 of my men for every one we kill of yours. But even at those odds, you will lose and we will win." - Ho Chi Minh

After the Mausoleum we went for lunch and I had my first ride n the taxi in Hanoi - that is an experience. At som point we passed by a woman that was driving a motorbike wearing a dress showing her legs but all covered up on her face and rest of the body (Vietnamese don't like to be in the sun) and the taxi driver opened the window just to tell her that the way she was dressed didn't make any sense... (and we say that Germans are straight forward!). For lunch we had Pho cuon, Pho chièn tron and other Vietnamese delicacies. Everything delicious - we do eat a lot here. And when back into the centre we were 6 in a car of 5 and the taxi driver never said anything, he just wanted to take where we wanted - people are so relaxed here... when they don't have a car horn in front of them.

Then we walked around the Old Quarter and dam' it was so hot, I had egg coffee (it is amazing). Apparently, there is only two places where you can drink egg coffee and the recipe is secret, it's passed within the family from generation to generation. Awesome isn't it? And delicious, if you come here you have to try. I also tried Sugar cane juice. I thought it was going to be super sweet but actually it's not, and is so refreshing. It's great for summer, super hot days.

Magic Turtles @ Literature Temple

The city tour finished in the Literature Temple, Temple of Confucius. This was Vietnam first University and the students come here to worship Confucius to have luck in the exams. Now the University is closed but they have these stone turtles with the name of the better students and their grades, where before, the student could go and rub the turtles heads to be lucky in their exams and successful in their careers. 

After being walking around all day coming home was just what I needed. A shower and be inside a little with air con on is just a dream. Later getting into the Old quarter to enjoy a little of Hanoi nightlife.

It's so difficult to describe anything in this blog. There is so much that I have seen that is not possible to write and I just try to absorb see and try as much as I can while I am here... unfortunately only for 3 weeks. After this first couple of days, life in Europe just seems other life. I feel I am in a completely different world and that, is definitely not a bad thing... not bad at all.