The train from Sapa pulled up at 4:30 am. Rather than waking up our guesthouse owners, we sat it out in a "cafe." Cafe's here usually consist of a few plastic tables with miniature plastic chairs set up on the sidewalk. All very low to the ground, its looks like a child's table and chairs. (Meaning, Western guys usually stick to the chairs when they stand up). Just across the threshold of the the open store front is a makeshift kitchen. This set up is a site you see everywhere, at least a few cafes per block. All over, people sitting in these little plastic chairs. The stalls/cafes stay open and crowded until late in the night - the food and snacking culture is one of the highlights for me :)
Vietnamese wake up pretty early around 6am, so 5am is actually not that early for them. We sat, had coffee (the usually "cafe sua" = strong coffee loaded with condensed milk) and played cards...well, tried to remember rules of card games. (Note to self - bring card game rules when traveling. Anyone remember how to play Hearts (Renee??) :) Anyway, we have internet access so that is a to-do.
By the time we walked to the guesthouse, around 6am, the pots in the noddle stalls were already steaming, with families and small groups gathered around their tables slurping up Pho. This morning, we had snacked on crackers and fruit, but soon we will be doing the same. Good morning, Vietnam!
Vietnamese wake up pretty early around 6am, so 5am is actually not that early for them. We sat, had coffee (the usually "cafe sua" = strong coffee loaded with condensed milk) and played cards...well, tried to remember rules of card games. (Note to self - bring card game rules when traveling. Anyone remember how to play Hearts (Renee??) :) Anyway, we have internet access so that is a to-do.
By the time we walked to the guesthouse, around 6am, the pots in the noddle stalls were already steaming, with families and small groups gathered around their tables slurping up Pho. This morning, we had snacked on crackers and fruit, but soon we will be doing the same. Good morning, Vietnam!
Here are some Hanoi street and food scenes:
Linz, This leg of your journey (to include Sapa)is reminiscent of scenes from Apocalypse Now or National Geographic. Do the northern Vietnamese treat Americans notably different than their southern brethen treated you? Very happy to hear you met some fellow travelers to tag along on some of the more remote excursions. Definitely take a plane to Laos. It's nice to pamper yourself once in a while. How much roughing it can one enjoy? Love, Dad
ReplyDeleteI haven't encoutered any harsh treatment anywhere (whether due to being American or otherwise), although the southerns are generally more friendly (more smiles, kids are more friendly etc). I think that is due to the typical warm climate / cold climate effects on demeanor.
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