So here goes my first attempt at a blog entry, I am sure I wont be able to compete with Noogy's Saheti honed writing skills but it does say "advenutures of the Christodoulous" so only fair that the original Christodoulou also contribute.
I wont repeat my impressions of places Noogy has spoken about but it has been a really amazing couple of weeks so far, I have not missed that pesky blackberry flashing red light or having keys in my pocket or knowing, (or caring) what day of the week it is. Just feels good to have your senses primed for experiencing different cultures and giving yourself a little bit more perspective as to how this world all fits together.
We are currently in Hanoi, Vietnam, a pretty hectic place that doesn't do chilling out. The incessant short sharp burts of motorcycle hooters defines the soundtrack of this city, a bit like what it might be like listening to Miles Davis warming up for an improv Jazz concert . Tourists are like prey here and whilst you not swatting motorcycles at intersections or turning down offers for "help" from "students" you are busy taking in an experience you are unlikley to forget in a long time.
We have spent two nights here, but we were lucky to get here at all after one of the most eventfull taxi rides of my life, its a long story but involved our driver being completly lost, being left alone in the car at busy intersections whilst or driver ran into buildings to ask directions, 3 point turns into oncoming traffic, multiple stalling of the car engine and threats of physical abuse if he didnt let us and our baggage out the car. All is well that ends well and after a two hour ordeal we arrived safe in our hotel, in a different taxi and with a different driver.
We have done loads and loads of walking around here and its been fascinating, today we strolled past a live cockfight in a quiet residential neighbourhood, saw dogs in cages for all the wrong reasons and toured a couple of large scale public monuments that only communist goverments sign off town planning permission for.
It hasn't been the most restfull or enjoyable, in the traditional sense of the word, couple of days, but I think its the places that make you feel out of your comfort zone that make the biggest impression and leave the most vivid memories, Hanoi has definately been that.
Now to backtrack a bit, we arrived in Hanoi from Luang Prabang in Laos, were we spent three lovely days. We arrived via a three day boat cruise up the mekong river. The cruise is the ideal way to arrive as it resets your stress clock to an appropriate setting for your destination. Luang prabang doesnt do stress, it doesn't do speeding it doesn't do raised voices or loud anything, no speed and sound magazine subscribers in sight and any bouncers looking for work should avoid the place.
As a town, it certainly is no longer undiscovered or untouched by tourism, yet somehow manages to retain its charming character. Our little hotel was close to the river and was very well located to enjoy chilling out in the town for a few days, we borrowed some bikes to explore a bit on bicycle which is a great way to get a feel for a place and slightly less traffic to deal with than our Bangkok cycling experience.
I really enjoyed our time in Laos, I think the dual riverfront setting and background mountain ranges is unique but ultimately its the people that will define an inhabited space and the Laos people we came across were special, so peaceful and tentative, its hard to describe but certainly a destination I am not sorry we included in our itenary.
Tomorrow morning we head off to Ha Long bay, a spectacularly beautiful part of vietnam, it should be an interesting couple of nights. Facebook is banned in Vietnam so we wont be able to check in that way but hope to be in touch again soon. I hope you guys are all well, take care.
Andreas
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