Hello, Hanoi

After hours of help from friends and family (thanks!) the house got packed and we were delivered to the airport.  20-some hours later, we made it.  Our studio is a block away from Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, a revered and busy site, in the Ba Dinh neighborhood.  It’s a place of non-stop movement and noise, beeping and barking.  We have figured out how to cross a street that is full of scooters and cars and bikes all in perpetual motion.  Lights exist but appear to be suggestive only.  We’ve navigated some alleys and dined on satisfying unknown street food.

We saw a griddle, a big pot and some little bowls of things, with this sign on the wall, and were ushered in by a friendly young woman.  We needed breakfast.  It turned out to be super thin rolled up rice pancakes with a savory filling of pork and mushrooms (ba ̉nh cuổn) and chicken soup (ga ̉ tân).  Herbs, limes, chilis and sliced pickled garlic were added.

Tomorrow we will do it all again.