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| Vietnam Coffees. How About a Cup of Weasel? |
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| A cure for what ever is ailing you.....I will try The Tiger.... |
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| Tea Merchant |
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| I don't know what these little sesame balls are called in Vietnamese but they were a tasty snack! Some sort of bean paste |
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
The Things You See; The Things They Carry
Just a few of my favorite street views today.
AND NOW...The Things They Carry. You will see it all if you watch for long enough. I am just sorry I don't have a snapshot of the "mattress movers." Yup. A full size mattress on a bike...
Uncle Ho
If Vietnam bestowed sainthood -- it would be on Uncle Ho. So today I went to visit Uncle Ho. I am sure this dedicated patriot who lived a simple life would be shocked at the Mausoleum (he wanted to be cremated), Museum, and Stilt House that form one of Vietnam's most visited "relic sights."
The mood was somber; the process to Ho looked awful; and the entire event was orchestrated. I was grateful the line was short today--at times I understand the queue seems endless.
Then on to the Fine Arts Museum. It had some interesting items from the early Champa era and the 1000 eyed, thousand-armed effigy of Quan Am (The Goddess of Compassion). But it was amazing thick in the theme of patriotism, happy poverty, and Uncle Ho.
I also just wandered the streets and snapped away. What fun!
The mood was somber; the process to Ho looked awful; and the entire event was orchestrated. I was grateful the line was short today--at times I understand the queue seems endless.
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| He Looks Pretty Good Here! |
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| The Stilt House |
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| A couple of his cars. |
Then on to the Fine Arts Museum. It had some interesting items from the early Champa era and the 1000 eyed, thousand-armed effigy of Quan Am (The Goddess of Compassion). But it was amazing thick in the theme of patriotism, happy poverty, and Uncle Ho.
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| Everyone Needs Quan An in their Life |
Monday, January 12, 2015
Hanoi Streets
The City is amazing -- and endlessly entertaining. The weather had cleared and warmed a bit. The hotel provides a full breakfast (fresh baguettes, thank those French!) so I got an early start.
I walked slowly towards the Temple of Literature--a highly impressive, well preserved temple dedicated to Confucius in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. Later it was established as a university for the education of mandarins. Its roofed gateways, low-eaved buildings and five courtyards are typical of 11th-century courtly architecture. In 1484, Emperor Le Thang Tong ordered the establishment of stelae honoring the men who had received doctorates in triennial examinations dating back to 1442.
This is the quote from the exam in 1442:
Virtuous and talented men are state sustaining elements: The strength and prosperity of a state depend on its stable vitality and it becomes weaker as such vitality fails. That is why all the saint emperors and clear sighted kings didn't fail in seeing to the training of men of talent and the employment of literati to develop this vitality.
Then a street ramble to Hoa Lo Prison -- known to most Americans as Hanoi Hilton. The Prison was built by the French colonialists in 1896 to hold thousands of Vietnamese patriotic and revolutionary fighters. The most gruesome relic was the French guillotine -- used to behead Vietnamese revolutionaries. Most exhibits recounted the the Vietnamese struggle for independence but there were also exhibits about the American War.
Finally -- the Quan Su Pagoda, now the headquarters of the Tonkin Buddhist Association.
I walked slowly towards the Temple of Literature--a highly impressive, well preserved temple dedicated to Confucius in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. Later it was established as a university for the education of mandarins. Its roofed gateways, low-eaved buildings and five courtyards are typical of 11th-century courtly architecture. In 1484, Emperor Le Thang Tong ordered the establishment of stelae honoring the men who had received doctorates in triennial examinations dating back to 1442.
This is the quote from the exam in 1442:
Virtuous and talented men are state sustaining elements: The strength and prosperity of a state depend on its stable vitality and it becomes weaker as such vitality fails. That is why all the saint emperors and clear sighted kings didn't fail in seeing to the training of men of talent and the employment of literati to develop this vitality.
Then a street ramble to Hoa Lo Prison -- known to most Americans as Hanoi Hilton. The Prison was built by the French colonialists in 1896 to hold thousands of Vietnamese patriotic and revolutionary fighters. The most gruesome relic was the French guillotine -- used to behead Vietnamese revolutionaries. Most exhibits recounted the the Vietnamese struggle for independence but there were also exhibits about the American War.
Finally -- the Quan Su Pagoda, now the headquarters of the Tonkin Buddhist Association.
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| I took their picture -- but they really wanted one of me too! |
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| The Four Pillars / Entrance to the Temple Nearby Stelea advise one to dismount from their horse! |
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| Doctors stone stelae were erected between 1484 and 1780 with the names and birthplaces of 1,304 doctor laureates. Each stelea rests on a tortoise. |
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| Courtyard near The Temple of Confucius |
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| Surely a game of chance! |
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| All wiring is above ground so when you need more -- well, get a rough hewn ladder and get out in the traffic! |
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| Interior Wall at Hoa Lo Prison |
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| Memorial monument area of Vietnamese patriots and revolutionary fighters. The Vietnamese struggled a long time to become an independent nation. |
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| Front door of Hanoi Hilton -- French for Central House |
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| Bikes on the sidewalk -- like the flower basket! |
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| Women chanting and rhythmically banging a drum. |
Hello Hanoi!
So a day of travel. I had few goals for the day: get the first metro to the airport, get on the flight, get my "on arrival visa", get through immigration and customs, and take a cab to the Little Hanoi Diamond Hotel. And I did that, and more!
Adventure #1: The On Arrival Visa. It really seemed an exercise in creating employment for nationals and confusing all new arrivals. One has a choice of the on-line pre-approval process or sending in your passport to an embassy in your home country. Let's guess what most folks do?
So you pay a fee for the on-line service but you don't "pay" for the visa. Along with hundreds of tourists you enter into the arrival hall. Somehow you figure out to get in 1 line and give them your pre-approval letter, passport, an immigration form, and 1 ugly photo. And then you wait. Sometime later, in no particular order, your name is called and your passport is waived around. And then you pay. In US DOLLARS. Everyone has to pay in US Dollars.
Then you go through immigration.
Sure, it could be easier but then -- how would that be fun?
Adventure #2: My Luggage. I picked it up at the turnstile and then found that the lock had been tampered with and I could NOT open my suitcase. Which was no problem except it was COLD and my jacket was inside! And so my great little cheap lock worked -- it kept everyone including me out!
Thank goodness I got a free pass through Customs (except they could have cut the lock.)
Adventure #3: Get some money. Now, the ATMS are hidden down a hallway and you have to pass by the money changers and SIM card sellers and tourist junkets. The lines were long -- and no one was at the ATMs. So I got the money.
Adventure #4: Get to the hotel. No problem -- get in the line, get a cab & take a picture of the license plate, and jump in. The airport is out of town and took 30 minutes or so. The hostel is in the Old Quarter: the heart of Hanoi -- what a bee hive of activity, sights, sounds, smells. The door man raced out to greet the cab & he negotiated the fee (probably they all get a cut). I got checked in and discovered my dorm room is on the 6th floor (6 up from the ground floor!) and no elevator. They cut open my lock & carried my stuff upstairs. HERE.
Then I began to settle in.
Adventure #1: The On Arrival Visa. It really seemed an exercise in creating employment for nationals and confusing all new arrivals. One has a choice of the on-line pre-approval process or sending in your passport to an embassy in your home country. Let's guess what most folks do?
So you pay a fee for the on-line service but you don't "pay" for the visa. Along with hundreds of tourists you enter into the arrival hall. Somehow you figure out to get in 1 line and give them your pre-approval letter, passport, an immigration form, and 1 ugly photo. And then you wait. Sometime later, in no particular order, your name is called and your passport is waived around. And then you pay. In US DOLLARS. Everyone has to pay in US Dollars.
Then you go through immigration.
Sure, it could be easier but then -- how would that be fun?
Adventure #2: My Luggage. I picked it up at the turnstile and then found that the lock had been tampered with and I could NOT open my suitcase. Which was no problem except it was COLD and my jacket was inside! And so my great little cheap lock worked -- it kept everyone including me out!
Thank goodness I got a free pass through Customs (except they could have cut the lock.)
Adventure #3: Get some money. Now, the ATMS are hidden down a hallway and you have to pass by the money changers and SIM card sellers and tourist junkets. The lines were long -- and no one was at the ATMs. So I got the money.
Adventure #4: Get to the hotel. No problem -- get in the line, get a cab & take a picture of the license plate, and jump in. The airport is out of town and took 30 minutes or so. The hostel is in the Old Quarter: the heart of Hanoi -- what a bee hive of activity, sights, sounds, smells. The door man raced out to greet the cab & he negotiated the fee (probably they all get a cut). I got checked in and discovered my dorm room is on the 6th floor (6 up from the ground floor!) and no elevator. They cut open my lock & carried my stuff upstairs. HERE.
Then I began to settle in.
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| Busy streets. Horns are somehow linked to both brakes & accelerators! To cross: walk with confidence! |
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| Cafe sitting -- coffee or tea or local fresh beer |
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| Not ready to try any of this! |
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Walking and Walking
So...night #1 in a hostel...slept through everything and everyone coming and going! Most of my dorm mates are also in Singapore en-route to somewhere else in a few days. Everyone has a story and I'm thrilled to hear and imagine so many adventures.
Today my goal: walk through town to the Asian Civilizations Museum, try at least one new food, and take more pictures. I did all that and more. Lasting impression: everything in Singapore is under construction. I don't think I found one block that did NOT have a bee hive of work, even on a Saturday. New subways, new mega shopping centers, new hotels, new housing blocks, new you name it.
The new food was Kaya Toast...for breakfast at the hostel. It is a coconut jam made with coconut + egg yolks + sugar. Not a really strong coconut flavor, but yummy on whole wheat toast, fruit, and coffee that could "hold up a spoon".
The Asian Civilizations Museum is dedicated to exploring the rich artistic heritage of Asia through a collection of works of art, artifacts, jewelry, and other items. Singapore is strategically located at the crossroads of Asia --- essentially a spot that could capitalize on the monsoon winds -- so it has long experienced influences from China to India. A significant part of the exhibit traced the influences of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam.
My wanderings lead me through all sorts of places -- Singapore is a vibrant and bustling city with a mix of "old colonial" sections, skyscraper business districts, 24 hour shopping centers, and modern architecture. And I figured out that traffic stays to the left...no wonder when I was walking on the right I was swimming "upstream". Guess I finally woke up!
Today my goal: walk through town to the Asian Civilizations Museum, try at least one new food, and take more pictures. I did all that and more. Lasting impression: everything in Singapore is under construction. I don't think I found one block that did NOT have a bee hive of work, even on a Saturday. New subways, new mega shopping centers, new hotels, new housing blocks, new you name it.
The new food was Kaya Toast...for breakfast at the hostel. It is a coconut jam made with coconut + egg yolks + sugar. Not a really strong coconut flavor, but yummy on whole wheat toast, fruit, and coffee that could "hold up a spoon".
The Asian Civilizations Museum is dedicated to exploring the rich artistic heritage of Asia through a collection of works of art, artifacts, jewelry, and other items. Singapore is strategically located at the crossroads of Asia --- essentially a spot that could capitalize on the monsoon winds -- so it has long experienced influences from China to India. A significant part of the exhibit traced the influences of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam.
My wanderings lead me through all sorts of places -- Singapore is a vibrant and bustling city with a mix of "old colonial" sections, skyscraper business districts, 24 hour shopping centers, and modern architecture. And I figured out that traffic stays to the left...no wonder when I was walking on the right I was swimming "upstream". Guess I finally woke up!
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| The University had a "Justice for All" Walk/Run with this entertainment following. |
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| Washing the Parliament Building. |
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| Can there be smaller tires on a smaller bike????? |
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| The downtown skyline near Singapore River is jammed with skyscrapers. |
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| New Art/Science Museum and in the background...well...I don't know what that building is! |
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| Year of the Goat Stamp Exhibition & Sale |
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