Beautiful Hanoi

I think this one takes the cake. Not only is the city beautiful, and bustling, but manageable too. Everyone is nice and curious about us also. But beyond that the city just gives off a vibe that is welcoming and encourages my sense of curiousity to see what is around every corner.We got in at about 5:30am after a gruelling 30 hour train ride and were taken to the Green City Hotel (a guy was there promoting it). But for $25US we got a couple hundred square feet and a balcony that looked over the wedding street (invitations, photos, dresses, etc.). Nice place and a price that's hard to beat. We then walked down to one of the many Sinh Cafes (I think there is no ® on the name because it seems that EVERY cafe is a sinh cafe) and made arrangements for our trip to Beautiful Ha Long bay the following day. For about $140US we got a private bus, boat tour guide and boat crew for a few hours, all in all not a bad deal considering it is supporting about 12 people, plus expenses. After that we went down to the sneaker streets, the markets (which sell food and flowers), the flag and tin makers, the cabinet and furniture makers, the painters, etc. etc. each corner revealing a different craftsmen (many times using age old techniques to make beautiful items) Picked up a few souvenirs before heading back to the hotel for a nap before heading out to a little bar/pub owned by the brit named Matt. Said he decided hisw first 24 hours in Hanoi (two years ago) he was there to stay. So he opened this place called "Le Pub" which serves everything from western food to asian cuisine to my new favorite drink (Viet coffee with a healthy serving of sweetened condensed milk mmmm frickin mmmmm). Anyway, I ordered a steak with mashed potatoes and gravy (you never realize how much that stuff means to you untill you've been eating noodle soup on corners for about a week and a half) which was DELICIOUS. It sooo hit the spot. Then back to the hotel as we were leaving for Ha Long the next day at 7:30.The next day the bus was late and it was raining and clowdy (there was a large monsoon blowing through to the south) so I wasn't in the best mood, not to mention the waking up early thing. Once our tour guide got there, however, my mood brightened because he seemed to be a good guy (it seems we have had EXTRAORDINARY luck with our guides and drivers), anyway, gave us the scoop and we were off on our 2 and 1/2 hour journey to Ha Long Bay. Even through the rain the magnificent lime stone rocks sticking out of the bay are amazing looking. We cruised around the bay for about 45 mins before arriving to a fishermans house. We got an insight into how they lived (actually in the bay) and also got to pick out our lunch (HECK YEA) So we picked some crab and prawns and conch had the guys cook it up for us and good god was it delicious. I think because they aren't used to cooking for only two people they really overdid it on the food, which was fine because I skipped breakfast. Anyway, gorged myself; rice, crab, vegetables, squid, conch, prawns, shrimp, etc etc. there was more I am just forgetting now what it was. After lunch it was off to do some cave exploration. Not stunningly beautiful, but fascinating historically. The bigger of the two caves we visited was just discover about ten years ago by a fisherman trying to get out of a storm. And the second was used in battles dating way back to when there was conflict with the Mongolians and as recently as the French and American wars (they used it to stockpile weapons) fascinating really. After the cave exploration it was back to the dock and back to the hotel. Honestly I was ready because it seemed like a lot had happened in the short time we were there. Later on (yesterday) that night as I was cheking email the two kids that run the late night desk were BLASTING american country music. It was hilarious, absolutely ridiculous, but they LOVE IT!!! Anyway. (I also found out when they close up things for the night [around 1ish] they sleep on the floor of the lobby in case anyone is locked out etc. But I can't imagine. Kids younger than me who have to sleep on the floor of a hotel lobby every night just to keep their families fed. Really sad. I guess it never really struck me how lucky I was to be a white kid born on the right side of the earth to a good situation until then.Today we woke up and headed out to the Sofitel Metropole to learn how to cook Viet style. As it ended up dad and I were the only people to take the course that day so we got the individual attention of a pretty amazing cook. We went to the market and learned about the ingredients and she was even kind enough to warn us of the section where they had dog so we could avout it. Then back to the hotel for lecture and instruction on how to cook. They even hooked us up with recipe sheets, bar b q devices rice paper for making the tastiest confection known to man (deep fried spring rolls) mushrooms, viet vermacelli. Wonderful. After they had filled us up it was back to Matt's ( Le Pub) to get a cup of joe, do some last minute souvenir stuff and get ready for the airport. Well we are about to hop the flight for Bangkok where we start our EARLY morning trip back to the states and no one has ever been more ready for it! I can't wait to see all you lovely people again. Hear your voices, throw some hugs around. And them maybe make with the trinkets. Good stuff. Love to all!!!!SARA MOM BOB GRAMMY HANK AND WHOEVER ESLE IS READING!!!!!!!! PEACE OUT SCOUTS!!!!!!~ N to the.....