2015-02-06 More on Hanoi – Feb 6

After leaving the Mausoleum, we went to visit a grandiose yellow “castle” and suspected it was his house. A picture is attached. However he preferred to live a very humble life in a small house nearby and in a 2 room upstairs ( study and bedroom) house on stilts by a small lake. On the ground floor under the 2 rooms was a conference table and chairs. Picture attached. We also visited the temple of the single pagoda where couples go to pray for fertility and having a baby. Under the regulations, like China there are restrictions to children. All couples are permitted two. Divorce is apparently scarce and there are penalties for having more than 2 children. LUC told us that his brother was a doctor and had three children and was demoted to nurse, which is all he can do and has made a good life. Apparently there is free speech, the majority of the country are Buddhist, but about 9 million Christians mostly catholic, and other religions are permitted.
We then had lunch followed by a walk of the thriving downtown market area and to what many considered a big highlight of the day – a “rickshaw” ride for 50 minutes. It was a chap on a bicycle pushing you in a comfortable covered seat in front. The issue is that there are 3.5 million motorcycles in Hanoi and there is little respect for lanes and red lights seem optional. I know the chap that was with me had sustain for red lights so went through with the mass of motorbikes and cars charging at you and hooting. Walking across the street is an adventure. If you wait for traffic to stop you never leave the pavement. So when you want to cross you slowly walk (never run) across the street with your hand out telling the vehicles to stop and miraculously, the traffic flows around you and you get across. Totally bizarre, but do as tue locals! See pictures.
Next we went to the water puppet show. These are puppets that are manipulated from behind by people in wading boots (Who you don’t see) and it all takes place in a large water tank. A band played and some 12 different scenes were portrayed all in Vietnamese. Fascinating, and then we got to visit backstage and see how it all works.
Back to the hotel And dinner in the hotel, the first western meal we have had. The food is very good and all menus are prepared by the tour operator so we get a chance to taste 10 or more bite sized courses each meal.
Enough for today, we leave the hotel at 7 AM so to bed.
Roger