Hanoi

[Part 2]
The Capital
Finally getting to see the capital up close I couldn't help comparing it to Saigon. They were very similar in some ways. The traffic was still really bad, though perhaps a degree or two better than its southern sister. Fresh flowers were readily available whereas vegetables were served with prejudice. Shopping was easier as the merchants weren't grabby and the bargaining was more amiable. Plus, the tree coverage was better than in Saigon, along with the many lakes scattered throughout the city it gave the city a greener feel.
We spent three nights there, but it was both more and less than what we needed. Daphne was only able to stay for two nights and then had to go back to Saigon for work. We had exhausted the street market from end to end, my mom almost completing her souvenir shopping in one go. Saw the water puppet show, I liked, mom didn't get into it. Ate some really good food, went to an excellent jazz club and ate more from our wallets than our plates at a French restaurant on the last night.
Some photos from Hanoi:

[Double stitching I hope]

[There's gotta be a way to refine this system]

[Daphne checking on her covered yoga class in the reflection of a street barber's mirror]

[Uncle Ho says, 'Safety first']

[Birds as pets is a Hanoi trait, don't see these in Saigon]

[Streetside barber]

After Daphne left us Tuesday morning, we went to an agent to see if we could get a tour outside of the city, having exhausted it, for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, the premiere choice, Perfume Pagoda, was way too far out for leaving so late in the day. We settled instead for taking a private car out to two lesser pagodas that weren't as far away, Thay and Tay Phuong. For being the lesser attractions they weren't bad at all.

[Happy to be away from the traffic]

[A tasty offering]

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