In the Old Quarter – Sunrise in Ha Noi
I feel blessed and happy about my decision to spend a few months in the old quarter of Hanoi before moving on to Australia.
Having managed to rent an apartment on the fourth floor with splendid views over the roofs of Ha Noi's ancient quarter, I truly enjoy opening my bedroom door in the early morning, when the red sun ball commences its rise above the roofs of 100 year old houses, with birds are performing their lovely morning concert.
Shortly after, at 7.30 am, the Vietnamese party’s loudspeakers start broadcasting music and their daily information programme, for me the signal to get going for my walk around the legendary Hoan Kiem Lake, along with many Hanoians following the same rhythm.
Set into the light of early morning mist, the lake lures a great number of locals to exercise their bodies, be it Tai Chi in groups, gymnastics in pairs, running, walking, or playing badminton on the pavement around the lake. It is where one can also observe some rather unusual sights such as elderly men rolling their heads on their shoulders like balls, others stretching their legs on benches, and again others forcefully beating their tummies.
The crowning moment of my early morning walks is my encounter with the newspaper seller, Mr Anh, at Trang Tien street, at the south-eastern corner of the lake - just besides the Post Office.
Besides my daily ‘Vietnam News’ paper, he also proudly presents "The Economist" and all sorts of ladies' gossip magazines in varying languages; if lucky at times - even rare magazines, including the satirical magazine “Private Eye” are on offer.
The Vietnam News and other precious magazines under arm, I continue my journey towards the north-western corner of the lake, where visitors can enjoy a superb view across the lake towards Son Ngoc pagoda. This attractive pavilion with wonderful lake views, had been at this location -when I first lived in Hanoi in the early 1990s. Since then, it successfully resisted persistent offers from a globally known hamburger-maker until this day, so I believe.
By the time of finishing the 'Pho Ga' and returning to my precious little balcony, the sun has turned yellow standing high in the sky.
Hanoi, April 2008
Having managed to rent an apartment on the fourth floor with splendid views over the roofs of Ha Noi's ancient quarter, I truly enjoy opening my bedroom door in the early morning, when the red sun ball commences its rise above the roofs of 100 year old houses, with birds are performing their lovely morning concert.
Shortly after, at 7.30 am, the Vietnamese party’s loudspeakers start broadcasting music and their daily information programme, for me the signal to get going for my walk around the legendary Hoan Kiem Lake, along with many Hanoians following the same rhythm.
Set into the light of early morning mist, the lake lures a great number of locals to exercise their bodies, be it Tai Chi in groups, gymnastics in pairs, running, walking, or playing badminton on the pavement around the lake. It is where one can also observe some rather unusual sights such as elderly men rolling their heads on their shoulders like balls, others stretching their legs on benches, and again others forcefully beating their tummies.
The crowning moment of my early morning walks is my encounter with the newspaper seller, Mr Anh, at Trang Tien street, at the south-eastern corner of the lake - just besides the Post Office.
Besides my daily ‘Vietnam News’ paper, he also proudly presents "The Economist" and all sorts of ladies' gossip magazines in varying languages; if lucky at times - even rare magazines, including the satirical magazine “Private Eye” are on offer.
The Vietnam News and other precious magazines under arm, I continue my journey towards the north-western corner of the lake, where visitors can enjoy a superb view across the lake towards Son Ngoc pagoda. This attractive pavilion with wonderful lake views, had been at this location -when I first lived in Hanoi in the early 1990s. Since then, it successfully resisted persistent offers from a globally known hamburger-maker until this day, so I believe.
By the time of finishing the 'Pho Ga' and returning to my precious little balcony, the sun has turned yellow standing high in the sky.
Hanoi, April 2008