In my continuing efforts to visit sites here in Ha Noi before I head back to the States, I give you 87 Ma May and Ðen Bach Ma….. I figured I’d leave my house at about 11a.m., go to my favorite rice n’ point for brunch, then meander over to the Quarter and see the sites/sights. I thought by that time lunch hour (read ‘lunch … Continue reading 87 Ma May & Ðen Bach Ma
It’s the weirdest …..fruit?…..I’ve ever eaten. I guess it’s a fruit. Maybe it’s a legume. It’s called qua me kho and it’s just plain odd. It looks like…..well, I’ll let you decide what you think it looks like. On the last day of class one of my students gave me a bag of it and I said…..”er……thank you………what is it….?” She pulled one out of … Continue reading Qua me kho
I walked to Ðen Hai Ba Trung today (Ðen = Temple). I live in Hai Ba Trung District in Ha Noi and have heard the story of these sisters many times, so I wanted to visit their temple. It’s not very far from my place, though I still managed to get lost. It’s those darned shape-shifting streets, I tell ya. Anyway, I found it and, … Continue reading Hai Ba Trung (Two Sisters Trung)
Mike and I went to the Temple of Literature here in Ha Noi a few days ago. It’s a temple dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars and was originally built in 1070. It is also the site of Viet Nam’s first university. Studies, ceremonies and exams were conducted in and around the various buildings. I was a bit confused, honestly, when I entered the grounds. … Continue reading Temple of Literature
Essentially, I’m jobless. Well, nearly. I do have a Sunday morning job with some little kids, but my ‘main job’, my main source of income, has ended. The term is over. I may still be able to pick up work here and there (I hope, I hope!), but, yeah….jobless. Feels weird. For the rest of this month, I’ll be trying to get around Ha Noi … Continue reading School’s out!
Mike and I went to Ba Vi National Park for New Year’s. It was great to get out of the city. We had a really lovely and wonderful time. I have a bajillion pictures to post, so here goes: We arrived after dark on December 30th. It was about a two hour ride from Ha Noi. This picture was taken on the morning of the … Continue reading Happy New Year from Viet Nam
I’m nearly speechless……nearly. Last night I attended a performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at the Ha Noi Opera House. Words fail…. but I can show you some pictures… It’s quite a large building. I’d have had to … Continue reading A Night at the Opera …….House
We went to the Viet Nam Women’s Museum the other day. Wow……. very nice. Really interesting. I’ll be posting quite a few pictures so I won’t comment on every one, but let’s go on a tour together…… This impressive display went up and up and up. It’s made from painted non la (those conical hats). I didn’t even realize it … Continue reading Viet Nam Women’s Museum
Ha Noi has a very cool movie theatre……and I’m becoming an addict….. They show all sorts of English speaking movies or movies with English subtitles, new and old. Tonight I went to see an old Hitchcock film. I’ve always been a big Hitchcock fan ~ he’s in my top three of favorite movie directors. The inside of the theatre itself is new, comfortable, clean and, … Continue reading Ha Noi Cinématheque
…..when I left for work this morning ~ there was a big tarp hanging over the street (alley, actually). I figured my neighbors were having a party and when I got home from work…. …… sure ‘nuf….there’s a party goin’ on! This happens a lot here. A party is happening right in the middle of the street with motorbikes running right through it the whole … Continue reading I thought somethin’ was up…..
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