First Full Day in Hanoi

Today I spent my first full day in Hanoi. After arriving yesterday around 13:30 I headed to my accommodation, a traditional Vietnamese house up a wee alley,  then headed out to the West Lake to explore. As seems to be the case with many Scots I found myself in a bar and indulged in Hanois finest, followed by a Vegan buffet – how cliched – ohh I am a traveller.  As seems to be the case with many Scots, on the walk home I found myself enticed into a small shop and left with a big bag of cans. 

I got back and drunk the rest of my cans and then decided to post for the first time. Maybe it took some Dutch courage (or Vietnamese?). Anyway, I’m glad I decided to do it; the blog I mean not the beer – I had a sore head this morning. 

Jetlag is a bit of a killer too. I woke up at 4:20am thinking it was dinner time (it was back home) and then struggled to sleep until 8am! After lying in my room for too long & feeling a bit guilty I decided it was time to head out of my local Hanoi suburb and see where all the tourists are! 

It’s a weird feeling being in a city yourself. On the one hand it’s liberating; I can do what I want when I want. On the other hand it’s quite scary – you don’t have to go anywhere and nobody will be annoyed if you don’t – so you have to force yourself! 

When I landed in Hanoi I posted on an expat Facebook group: 

I’d never done anything like that before, basically asking publicly for a mate. I’m very glad I did though.. there does seem to be a community out here & everyone seems very friendly. From one Facebook post I now have a number of activities lined up for the week: 

• Got taken around the tourist area, saw the ‘railway street’ & visited the Water Puppet show (today)

• Meeting someone for a few beers (tomorrow) 

• Have been invited to join a Gaelic football team?! 

• Been invited to have dinner with a couple

If I hadn’t written that post I wouldn’t have any of those things to do. I felt like an arsehole writing it, but I didn’t feel stupid today when I had a buddy to explore with. We definitely need company or companionship. Not in a lovey dovey way, more in a ‘I’ve got no idea wtf is going on in this city, but neither do you so its fine’ kinda way. 

It’s such a small world as well. The person I met today lived in Edinburgh for three years  & is an English teacher at the school where I am about to start my training to teach English!! What are the chances?

I don’t know what tomorrow holds but I am looking forward to it. 

Oh and I managed to try Hanoi Mcdonalds today. 6/10; not enough sauce on the Big Mac. 

Ciao for now x