This is our third trip to Hanoi and we have spent now a total of 6 weeks in this city alone. In all this time we have never visited the Hanoi Water Puppets show, until yesterday. All 5 of us went to the early show and it was well worth the price of the ticket ($2.50). Anh sat with rapt attention for the entire show and was even bobbing his head and tapping his leg to the music. He has not been able to stop talking about the show since we left and I have promised him a return visit before we leave Hanoi. Looks like it is going to be a mother-son experience, since Patti and Patrick are not too interested in a second performance. Tam, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy the show, but by halfway through was squirming in my lap.
http://www.thanglongwaterpuppet.org/news.htm
Afterward, we went out for Fanny's Ice Cream, a must in Hanoi if you like ice cream. Anh had his favorite, ginger, and went home with a big smile on his face! Ah the little things in life that make you happy.
Our trip to Vietnam, this time, has definitely had a different quality than any other trip Patrick and I have taken. We are staying in a very Western hotel, not eating out that much (we have a kitchen), and even not getting around the city as much as we would normally like. This is partially due to having two small children to cart around, partially due to misplacing Anh's carrier for a few days, and partially due to the hotel being situated a little out of the old town section of Hanoi. It certainly doesn't feel like we are in Vietnam and I suppose this is what many of the families who come here experience. It is a shame, since I think Vietnam is such a wonderful country and so rich in culture. So, we are getting off our laurels tomorrow and going out into the country for an overnight homestay. We have hired a guide, Han, who was recommended through one of the yahoo groups, to take us out to a village in the country where we will spend time with a local family and learn the art of haggling in the market. I'm excited for Patti to get a flavor of Vietnam outside of Hanoi - I hope she is feeling hearty tomorrow :-)
2 comments:
Dude-it takes less than 10 mins to walk to the old quarter! And a few blocks the other direction is a market if you're in the mood for pics of skinned dogs for sale.
Love the pics of the kids-how I wish Josie would let me put a hat on her. So cute!
Glad you made the water puppets and yay for the ice cream there (and yogurt). The best I've ever had (sorry Tillamook and Umpqua!).
Did you check out the Hanoi Hilton yet? Priceless if you can manage to be there the same time as a guided tour. Listen in to the rhetoric.
Cute picts again!! Thanks!!
But you still haven't answered my question: How do you communicate with Tham? Does she know any English?
MOM
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