Vietnam Day 1 - Hanoi

Problem one

16,800 vietnamese dong is around 50 rupees.How the hell am I supposed to know when I'm getting ripped off? Every time the cyclos (cycle ricks) or the motorcycle taxis quote a price, I quickly whip out ten fingers figuring out what's the Indian equivalent.Once we agree on the price and I'm sitting in comfortably, I quickly realise that i could have bought a tiny country with that money.

Second problem - Food.

It looks delicious. Every nook and corner has a restaurant with people sitting on stools that are 12 inches high on the foot path. Not only is my paunch rebelling, I spent a good one hour trying to find a restaurant that's empty.They ONLY use chopsticks. And I don't want to locals pointing at the Indian who has long dropped his sticks in his duck soup and is now trying to use the noodles as makeshift cutlery.

Number three - Maps

I've realised I can't read maps. And Hanoi doesn't make it easy on you. Millions of lanes that sound like triple X kung fu movies.I asked a cyclo to take me to Yen Thai, which was 10 minutes away. Half an hour later we're at Kenthai. A posh hotel whose residents found the goatie boy quite interesting.

Number 4 - perceived libido

Every taxi driver seems to think that I would like, and I quote, "Good Masaa. only ten dollah. Bootiful woman. You no want masaa. Masaa all body."

But the place is really beautiful. The people dress like the vietnamese fashion week is on 24/7 on the streets. I've still to try the street food. But it looks great and smells even better. I've taken in a prison museum, water puppetry, art galleries, and a cold beer with some grilled pork.

Life is good.

Pictures are yet to come. Till next time.