The Streets

 The Streets of motorbikes.

 Males, females, housewives, workers,daughters, sons, grandchildren are a familiar sight on them. It's common to see 2 to 3 pillion riders and texting on the phone is even deem an endemic occurrence. All are so natural on the vehicle.So there is much concerted effort to produce the best-looking and most functional bike on earth. Petrol is expensive and so a vehicle which consumes little is most practical.

 Another typical depiction of the Vietnamese; the hat and the poles. This lady went around serving customers on stools and then come back to collect the utensils. In Malaysia we sit in coffee shops and order our food. The hawkers serve us after that.

 Here in Hanoi, the people sit on small, low stools and eat away.

A different scenario but an old practice.

 Similar to most South East Asian cities, the streets serve shell fishes of all forms. Fresh and varied from the farms, they are tasty and unforgettable.

 I looked with interest at the way they prepare the oysters. They seemed well-cooked but we were warned by Quan to be wary of street food. We may not be able to stomach the local street delicacies and may make unwanted calls to the rest rooms. So we only see with envy.

 This must be a mix of seasoned stuff which the locals delight in ; again to be seen but not eaten.

 The skinny buildings have narrow alleyways that caught my attention.Locals pushed in their bikes and park int their premises. That is why most family members prefer the ground floor for it will mean saving parking fees. Doors and windows are the sides and they communicate with others through them.

 The lanes are wet from the rain; you wonder if they are ever washed. But that is life to the Vietnamese. They have been living in this manner for centuries and are happy people. Simple needs and simple life.

 Like the locals, the foreigners who visit, work or reside here adapt themselves well. They are comfortable with the low stools and eat and drink happily. No complaints. When in Rome, do what the Romans do.

 This is another set of seats. Old tyres with special nettings to hold the backs.

Tourists enjoy sitting on them. Beer is cheap and easily available.

 The Vietnamese alphabets have special apostrophes or strokes on top. Each stroke will add different connotations. We asked Quan about the strokes above Lau ... it meant steamboat. I guess that the notice is about Seafood Steamboat !

 New, old , capitalist, socialist or communist lands...we have this hairstyle everywhere. It's no wonder students also wear this hairstyle to schools.They are trained from young They have the teachers running after them like crazy and the standard answer is:

The barber did it without our knowledge.

Just name the degree.

The Hanoi Streets.