Culture shock and functioning chaos

Tuesday the 14th til Monday the 20th of January: I arrived in Hanoi on Monday at noon, after traveling with 3 planes for about 33 hours. On my taxi drive from the airport to the hotel, I got a first impression of the crazy traffic in this city. Having stayed mainly in hostels the weeks before and after the long trip I really enjoyed my hotel (Acoustic Hotel and Spa, on the edge of the old quarter). I had a bit of a travel blues and needed to unwind and process my last experiences, so I didn't leave the hotel for 3 days. Then I finally felt like the buzzing and humming of Hanoi was calling for me. I spent two days just strolling through the old quarter. First challenge: crossing the street. The trick is to just walk slowly but confidently, right through the traffic. It works somehow. Hanoi has around 8 Million inhabitants and 6 Million scooters. Lanes, lights and signs are but mere suggestions, the traffic has its own flow. You just have to dance to its rhythm (and honking 😋). I loved sitting on a corner, watching the well functioning chaos like a Ballett. Second challenge: stop stuffing my face. The food is just soooooo good! Pho of course (soup with meat, herbs and rice noodles), Ban Mi (vietnamese sandwiches), Bun Cha (grilled pork, noodles and herbs in a sweet sauce), spring rolls... great street food is everywhere and very cheap. On Saturday I went out in the so called beer corner, a couple of streets with many restaurants and bars. You can get some Bia Hoi, freshly brewed beer that has to be consumed within a couple of hours and that only costs a few cents. It was crazy busy, packed with tourists and locals having a good time. I got to know a group of travelers and teachers working in Vietnam and we ended up in a karaoke place. We had so much fun and the hangover the next morning was severe 😅. Sunday I switched from my fancy hotel to a hostel and did a lot of planing and booking for my next weeks traveling through Vietnam. I got to know Julia from Russia and we decided to do some sightseeing and trips together, like a day trip to Halong Bay and after that a few days in the north, in Sapa. So with the next steps planed I left Hanoi on Tuesday for Halong Bay. I must say that Hanoi was a mixed bag for me. It's a fascinating city, I loved the little streets, the architecture and the food. But after being in a country like New Zealand for a month, with its wide, unpopulated landscapes, the chaos in Hanoi was a bit much sometimes. I am really curious to discover the rest of the country.