Day 1: Hanoi

After arriving at the hostel at night, I spent the next morning practicing walking across the street. Most people learned how to do this around elementary school but really, here it takes practice. There is a steady stream of traffic that never stops, not even for red lights*. NEVER. So, if you want to go across the street you must:
1. blazenly step off the curb
2. look into oncoming traffic
3. banish the thoughts of your imminent death if you continue into traffic
4. walk at a steady pace while dozens of motorcyclists and cars swerve (usually) around you
5. make your way among the fleeting spaces.

Sound like a game of frogger? It is. Luckily, driving a scooter in Bangkok along with just being a very bold pedestrian** equipped me well for the task. I had it down by the afternoon. I met up with an old friend from Bangkok for lunch and we roamed around looking for things for me to buy.

I returned to the hostel and found wonderful people to drink with and booked myself on a 3 days and 2 nights tour of Halong Bay the next day. Good start to the trip, I'd say.

* red lights are mere suggestions in Hanoi, often ignored.

** for "bold" read stupid - I once made a Mexican bus slam on its breaks to not hit me. whoops!

*** pictures to come when it is a bit more practical to add them on.