| Hanoi |
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| Hanoi. The capital of Vietnam. I entered this city with a little trepidation. I've heard the stories, read the books, and seen the movies based on the war, and I know how my dad's generation views this country with mixed emotions. What was even weirder was that I was celebrating my 25th birthday here. I didn't really know what to think. But, when I got off the train into the morning rainstorm, I didn't have much time for reflection. It was more like "find a motorbike-taxi where the driver doesn't look too insane & get to a good hostel!" |
| A view from the internet cafe across the street from the hostel. This was a relatively motorbike free moment. But the same street-crossing rules apply as in China. "Look directly at where you're going & cross. The vehicles should move avoid you. |
| For my birthday, I went to a Water Puppet Theatre show. These puppeteers MUST be dedicated! Standing in calf high water bending over to move the bamboo attached to the puppets has got to be excruciating! But the show was really good! Except that it was in Vietnamese, so I didn't understand a word. But that's ok. I understood the dedication of the puppeteers & the musicians. That was enough to appreciate the show. |
| First, a 3 month mourning period where the dead is wrapped carefully and kept in the family home. Second, the deceased is placed in a wooden coffin and kept on the family land for 3 years. Finally, the remains & the wooden coffin are burned. The ashes are put into a 6 cubic ft sized concrete coffin and placed in the cemetery. The larger & more ornate structures are for those who were highly regarded of those who had wealthier families. |
| I also visited the "Hanoi Hilton" on my birthday. Below are some of the comforts "guests" were provided. Except for the fan. |
| The next day, I left for a boat tour of Ha Long Bay. On the ride back, we passed a Vietnamese cemetery. They can't bury the dead because the country is so close to sea level. That's why all the structures are above ground. The traditional custom for the dead has three stages. |
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