Reflections on Vietnam - and Thailand

Somewhere I heard or read that going to Bangkok from Hanoi was returning to civilization.  Ha!  Now THAT'S saying something.  It is, however, true.  In Bangkok, even the taxi drivers want to engage you in conversation, no matter how poor their English and while it's big and there's lots os traffic, people wait their turn and wait at traffic lights for what seems like forever.  There is a civility to the chaos.  Hanoi drivers, whether they drive motorcycles, cars, bicycles or rickshaws pay no attention to lines, lights or direction but somehow miraculously flow with relatively few accidents.  Don't know how they do it.  Taxis in Thailand have some statue of Buddha with offerings - almost without fail.  My taxi to the Hanoi airport had a bottle of Hypnotic Poison by Dior on his dash!
There are many, many karaoke bars in Hanoi, so I'm guessing they like karaoke.  And the flower market goes on for blocks with women on motorcycles and bicycles loading up to sell in other places.
Speaking of motorcycles, I have seen over 100 flats of eggs, 20+ cartons of bottled water, 30 chickens on the back of motorcycles in Hanoi.  The best has to be the woman yesterday who had a new ornately carved coffee table and end tables.  I have heard amazing things from fellow travelers about areas in Vietnam I didn't visit.  Maybe a second trip is warranted?  Right now I'm happy to be back in Bangkok at Lamphu Treehouse.  Went to Khaosan Road tonight for one last time.  The walk goes past Wat Bowannwet which takes up the whole block and is beautiful and peaceful.  Khaosan Road is a different matter.  There is music and lots of people and street carts with delicious food and lights and did I say people?  I saw three insect carts tonight and stopped to see what this girl had on her tray - - - barbecued scorpions!  She said, "They real good!"  I bet!  It is my last night here and, while I will miss it, I'm happy to be on my way home.  Yay!

Hanoi Style Hotel - My Room

Squirrel Coffee!