Hecca Hanoi

Borrowing a phrase from my new Ozzie (American translation = Australian) friend, Hanoi is the most hectic city I have experienced. I thought the scooters in Taipei were numerous. Here they run rampant. The worst part is that Hanoi doesn't have crosswalks, and the ones they do have are not recognized. You just kind of wade into traffic and walk slowly and steadily so that traffic can swerve around you. Talk about never racking. I've almost been road-kill at least a dozen times.

Crossing the boarder from Laos was an educational experience to say the least. It's rare in this world that someone provides a truely valuable service. I decide to cross the newly opened (2003) international boarder into north-central Vietnam. Of course the infrastructor isn't in place - still - and that's where you get stranded. They've voided your Laos visa and stamped your Vietnam visa and now there is conveniently no way to get to any kind of city or bus station. BUT...there happens to be one car in the whole boarder town and the gentleman that owns it will be more than happy to drive you where you need to go. All for the low, low price of $100 American dollars. He's also quite happy to take cash. Glad I wasn't traveling alone on that day!