Getting Hannoyed

Trip Start Feb 01, 2006
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28
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Trip End May 04, 2006


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Flag of Vietnam  ,
Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Yup it has definitely been a while since I last updated, I have been in Vietnam for a little less than two weeks at this point, it has been a really great place... for the most part. Right now I am getting completely sick of being in Hanoi though. There is an insane amount of motor bike traffic, to the point where it can be hard to even walk a block. The side walks are used to as parking spaces, forcing everyone to walk in the road, that combined with the never ending stream of touts ("you want fruit", "you want lighter", "you want book", "you want marijuana", "NO I just wanna be @%#$ing left alone!") add in 95 to 100 degree heat and it would test anyones nerves, and definitely tests mine. Anyway, I am heading west to Laos this evening, which will be a long trip, but it is supposed to be a MUCH more laid back coutry, so I am definitely looking forward to it. Well rather than go back and write about the last two weeks I am going to upload some pics and try and give some descriptions through those 10 cent beers
10 cent beers
 .

One other comment about Hanoi, and Vietnam in general. People try and scam you left and right here. Someone needs to call a country-wide meeting and explain to the population that nickel and diming the tourists every chance you get = bad for tourism. People seem to think that they are entitled to your money just because you're a tourist. Just today my motorbike driver ripped me off for twice the price of the ride, by claiming that he didn't have any change (they never ever do, what a coincidence), and he starts telling me 'oh I have four babies', and I'm thinking 'one, no you don't unless you have quadruplets, two, fine if you want to pan handle go panhandle but don't do it under the guise of performing a service, three, have some ethics, if you agree on a price before hand that IS the price that you charge in the end." It gets frustrating and up front pricing is definitely something that I am lookig forward to when I get home. I guess I'm just ranting at this point, so I'll stop and go work on downloading some pics...
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