Hanoi: Hostelling

Gray and gloomy, the trees swaying... I sat on my bed on the upper bunk, lazy to move an inch.

I would be checking out today to leave for Sapa that night. The weather wasn't the least encouraging for me to head out, so I took my time for breakfast, packed and talked to a Peru lady, Ruth from my female dorm. She has been on the road for months and she has no destination. Suddenly travelling solo seems like the least courageous thing compared to a lot of the people I met out there. They do it for weeks, for months, on a backpack. They don't plan, they have no itinerary, they come and leave when they like. Isn't that brave? I spoke to various people on this trip, but Ruth makes an impression.

The day before, Max, the Dutch-German guy I canoed with told me the name of the hostel he was staying. He was leaving that day, but I decided to check it out. This place (Hanoi Hostel) was great, more personable, has its own character, interesting people but the only thing that bothers me, the bathroom. So I walked right into the Old Quarter, checked out a few places with terrible customer service before I found it, May De Ville Backpackers Hostel. It was tucked in a cosy little corner. It looked posh, too nice for a backpacker hostel. For almost the same price as the previous two places, they included buffet breakfast, movie and billard room and more importantly a better bathroom. I felt like I had hit the nail on the spot, that was so going to be the place for the last two nights.

The Old Quarter area is really nice, there are always places to eat and drink, even late at night. I really like Ta Hien street too, there I found the stamp shop where I could custom make some wooden stamps. I made my orders to be collected when I return. It was about lunch time and I headed to this place named Cha Ca La Vong recommended by the Singaporean family, the prices gave me a shock - 190,000 VND for a meal. That is ridiculous, I felt conned again. I walked out and then settled for a 30,000 VND chicken pho on the street. "This is what I am in Vietnam for!", I thought. Then I went to the bakery next door, bought some cakes for my train journey tonight.

It was about 1pm, I was on my way to the Women's Museum when I bumped into Shaun (the sheep). I knew I had to get him because the last time I didn't, I had been thinking of it eversince. With Shaun, I entered Fanny, a fanciful ice cream parlour and bought myself a treat. The Women's Museum is an inspiring place that brought many insights about the lives and cultures of Vietnamese, especially the women. If you didn't know:

• They practise polygamy in their earlier days
• Men stayed at the wife's after first wedding ceremony
• Women as young as 17 fought the war some 30-40 years ago

Women's Museum

After almost 2 hours in the museum, it was time to head back to the hostel to get some rest. The constant honkings on the road drove me nuts, crossing the roads was always a challenge. Along the way, I decided to drop by St Joseph for a little sightseeing. Intrigued by the locals all sitting down on the stools drinking lemon tea and having finger food right besides the cathedral, I joined them.

Back in the hostel, I chilled at the rooftop where we had breakfast. Then it was about 6 when many others joined me, it was time for free beer. An hour of free beer. But the staff seemed to have forgotten, the rest of us made conversations while the boy went to seek for help. It was here I met a Belgian couple living in Singapore, two canadians, beat the Australian in the "Four in a line" game and outwitted the Irish that Asians are not stupid. Interesting evening. Bus was really late. I almost thought I was left out. Apparently I was the last few to be picked up, and I had no train ticket. I probably need to worry less as things always worked out at the end :)