Greetings from Hanoi

I'm finally in Hanoi, Culture Club is playing on the radio (never mind that i'm probably the only person here old enough to remember when this was actually a hit), and life is good. I flew from Hong Kong yesterday, a nice uneventful trip. The shuttle from the airport was $2, and very good, even though i was the only white person on it. The little girl sitting next to me fell asleep with her head on my shoulder during the trip in, which i found quite endearing. Immediately after heading towards the city center, the roads were lined with grazing cattle (and some water buffalo, i think) and the spectacular, verdant green of rice paddies. Despite the fondness of the shuttle driver for his horn, and the incessant moto drivers offering me rides, I can tell that this is much more my type of place than is Hong Kong.

I'm staying at a place called Hanoi Backpackers, which is basically a big dorm, albeit a very nice one. My bed is extremely comfortable, much more than the one i slept in for so many nights in Hong Kong. However, there are other downsides, such as snoring roommates, and walking in on naked boys in the bathroom( there's a door to the shower: I don't understand why he wasn't in there). Anyway, my quest for dinner last night was easily met by a cute little cafe on the square next to the catholic cathedral. Easily the best dinner I've had my whole trip (well, except for the sushi) and I sat at a table with an older Australian woman industriously writing postcards. We got to talking and are going to visit the Ethnographic museum this morning, for which i have high hopes. Cheers.