Day1 - arrival

Oversized baggage usually emerges separately, so I made my way to the back of the hall. Some odd boxes and several huge sets of golf clubs, but no bicycle box. It would be hard to miss. Directed to the lost baggage desk, I began explaining and filing a report. What color was the bag?

It was a cardboard box, a big one.

It will arrive tonight. We will send it to your hotel.

But I don’t know where I’m staying yet.

Call this number.

There wasn’t much more to it than that. I found Ian, got a SIM card for my phone, exchanged some money and got instructions for the bus for me; Ian rode his bike back to the city. I had been nervous about that ride, but, of course was disappointed when I couldn’t do it. Deposited at the Hanoi Train Station I began to follow my phone directions to the Green Homestay. The streets were a cacophony of scooters, motorcycles, cars, and trucks. Sidewalks are for parking. Lots of flags-just like home.

We’re in the penthouse of the Green Homestay. Bathroom down two flights of tight spiral stairs. Lots of windows with views of environs. Amazing thatched ceiling. Evening spent walking through alleys of old quarter, dodging motorcycles, stopping for tea, beer, food.