Hanoi.

Hanoi hit me hard on arrival with the beautiful mess and seemingly chaos of sounds, people and life as it happened...

For anyone coming in first time it is an overwhelming experience. Everyone is on the move all the time...people...cars, scooters...oh, the amount of motorbikes and scooters - you would not believe it until you see it...and the most amazing thing...all these vehicles and people somehow manage to move around without affecting each other, one another and everything else that happens to be in their way...It is hard to describe really, but once you figured out how to be in this chaos, suddenly life around you slows down and you do not feel pushed, rushed, knocked out...you start feeling this life from within, by being a part of it...

This was my main observation in Vietnam - people do not treat you as a outsider, as a tourist as a stranger...there are no tooting, enforcing tacky touristy stuff onto you or expecting you to share your wealth as a good hearted gesture...None of that harassment you often come across when travel Asia, Africa...

In Vietnam people let you be in their life, if you want and let you stay on a side of it, if you want. They genuinely do not pay you attention, just get on with their days as if there are no nosey strangers trying to pick into it. And that's what makes being in Vietnam the most amazing experience...

Hanoi...it is after all, a Capital. It is huge,. of course. and, of course, in two days I've spent there I haven't seen it all at all. Not even a half...But I've seen enough to satisfy my curiosity about it and was a good introduction to Vietnam, as Hanoi is really nothing like the rest of it and yet, with all the same traditions as in the countryside I've visited later...

There historical part - Old Quarter - relatively small - only 36 streets...Each named to reflect the trade that used to flourish there back in times. Back as far as 11 century! So, we have Silver street, Taylor's street, Beer street, Train street...you've got the gist now...

I arrived in the morning and after checking into my hotel, set up to explore Hanoi Old Quarter. And got lost almost immediately. Not in the directions, but in the majestic chaos of the district! I've seen tourists with the unfolded maps in their hands, frantically trying to find locations and tick the boxes...There is no logic in the street plan and soon I realised that the best way to explore Hanoi Old Quarter is to let yourself be lost in it, wonder around without the map and direction and, even purpose. This way you'll see what you need to see. It just will appear on your way...It worked like this for me.

I did some homework before I came, of course, and had a list of "to see" , a list of "would be nice to see" and a list of "could see if have spare time left from from previous two lists". Let me say it straight - the lists didn't really work. But I did managed to tick off few places off them anyway. And for that - I am happy.

But no homework prepares you for the insanity of the colours, noises and the existence of the old and new, commercial and spiritual, tranquil and exciting, all on the same streets, next doors, across the road...you don't have to understand it, just have to accept it as a reality...

I'd like to share more about Hanoi, but let's not make this entry too long to scroll...I've tried to add few more captions of Hanoi street life, but since last time I've been here, the table option seems to have gone, or moved elsewhere, pity, as it would've been the best way to share multiple photos...I'll play around to see what I can do about it... and will be adding some more thought in the next entry...

To Be Continued...