Back In Hanoi

Arrived this Sunday afternoon via VN214 from HCMC. And immediately after check-in at the ATS Hotel, I went to the Old Quarter Area, my favorite place in Hanoi. Photo shows the main rotonda which Patrick fondly calls as "Times Square."

Here the shops and the backpackers converge to enjoy the city’s rich culture and inexpensive bargains. Yes, bargains. Along Hang Gai Street, one will find a row of silk shops. I have a couple of suki shops here. One is Cu Thanh where I had a couple of suits and polo shirts made. Another is a shop (forgot the name but have a picture of the sales girl whose presence has been part of every visit).

I remember when Chief and I were here in December 2003. She flew in from Hanoi for the weekend while I was teaching at the Hanoi School of Business.

This time, am all alone here in Hanoi.

I also visit my suki DVD shops where backpackers buy rare to find CDs and box-sets of TV series, from the U.S. I quicky took notice of the 70s version of Charlie’s Angels and McGyver from the 80s. Tempted to buy. But I was focused as a sci-fi fan. Definitely, the original Star Trek and the Next Generation!

Plus, I bought 3 Cds for dad. “The Enchantment” by Chick Correa and Bela Fleck. “I am from Austria” by the Vienna Boys Choir. And Rod Stewart “Great Rock Classics of our time.” Each CD is only 30,000 VND… roughly, 120 pesos.

By early evening, I was back at the hotel and to my surprise, there was free wi-fi Internet connection. Chief called up later… checking up on me? Hehehe.