Day 2
Hanoi Palace Hotel, on a charming street, although aftr checking in I realized there is a bar beneath by fourth floor room which opens onto the street and advertizes live music from 9 - 12. We'll see.

Went out to walk but only covred a few hundred yards. So much to see, all fresh and new. The street in the old quarter is narrow and crooked with twisted trees. Motor scooters , heading for the day that they will take over from the women walking on it with their bouncing trays of fruits and vegetables suspended from bamboo poles, balanced on their shoulders, the gaming children, the men washing dishes, the women cooking over coals, the man sharpening cleavers on the unglazed bottom of a soup bowl. Of course the scooters will eventually be overtaken by cars, trucks, and tour buses.

The five foot wide opening onto the street where, just inside, a man and his mother are selling luminous conical pkages of something to eat. Sweet, to go on an offering, sometimes they are never opened. I bought one, flourescent fuschia. At home I can't resist opening it and find an intricately molded white cone, very baroque, of fine rice powder and sugar.

Respiratory half face masks for pollution are so common that they are a fashion item, contured and made of fabrics in all colors and designs. They hook over the ears. Men and Women. (less info)