Week 22: Hanoi

Last week in Hanoi brought humbling experiences, laughing yoga, and of course, more pho. Culture Notes: Because I’ve been here for 5 weeks, I’ve really gotten to know my little neighborhood. These are the small things I appreciate on my walk to work: Ladies on the...

Week 21: Hanoi

This week was made of new foods, new friends, and life lessons. And yes, it was very, very hot. Reached 102 with a real feel of 120. Cultural Notes: Birthdays are not a huge deal here. They are celebrated but far more important are the anniversaries of deaths in the...

Week 20: Hanoi

Slept on a boat this week in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay! Also went ice skating in the hottest city I’ve ever been. Cultural Notes They make coffee in two well-known ways here: coconut coffee and egg coffee. Wonder why you have a little extra jolt...

Week 19: Hanoi

Sweat a lot this week while trying to find my stride here in Vietnam. The heat/humidity is no joke. Also had my favorite meal of the year! Cultural Notes The word for beer here is ‘Bia’ which ironically sounds a lot like a person from Boston saying the word beer. Can...

Week 18: Hanoi

Hey, I’m in Asia!! Never in a million years did I think I would find myself in Vietnam, but here I am!! Proud I made it here. Hanoi, so far, the land of: humidity (I mean 100%, on top of 90 degrees), motorbikes (6 million of them, no joke), and yummy noodles (when...