Hoan Kiem Lake

That was a nice walk by the lake, but even with the cloud cover, it was steamy hot. Back in the hotel, it took 30 minutes to cool down and wait for the sweat to stop running down my back and into my pants.

There are lots of benches around the lake where we stopped and let the welcome breeze cool us. A little further we stopped for a refreshing drink and listened to the many different honks from the cars and scooters that drove by in an unending stream and cacophany. A majority of the scooter drivers wear face masks. Not sure if that really helps reduce the pollution they inhale. Meanwhile on the sidewalk, lots of locals walk barefoot, probably because it cools their feet but wow, are they black.

Among the many commonalities between Vietnam and Korea is that young women walk holding hands, a charming and affectionate custom. Another thing they have in common is the denominations of their money.

We withdrew 2,000,000 dong this morning, which amounts to about $100. Crossing the road is a risk-taking adventure. We were advised to just step slowly and deliberately onto the road and let the traffic flow around us. Right. There was no option though, and so Hans took my hand and bravely stepped forth...and it worked. I chose not to look anywhere but straight ahead where the safety of the other side awaited me.

Okay, now for nap number two today.
Location: 18-20 Lương Văn Can, Hàng Đào, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

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