Friday, October 29
 

They Must Go!

Yes, they must go, if for nothing else because they make really ugly women.

Have you seen the Eminem video "Mosh?" One of the most powerful political statements I've seen in a long time.
And this one of Bush flipping the bird? He's such a frat boy! Watch how he is so amused with himself.

By the way, the New York Times is on to my theory about the parallel universe, you know, the rip in the space-time continuum that occured when Bush, who was never destined to be president, took office. Further proof, the Red Sox win the World Series on the eve of a lunar eclipse. From the Times:

"But while there was plenty of chest-thumping euphoria heard around the city and beyond Wednesday night, there was another reaction from fans too, a kind of dazed giddiness, almost as though they must be living in a parallel universe, a world where the Red Sox did not let balls slip through their legs, did not blow it at the last minute. The fact that the victory occurred during a lunar eclipse, when the moon turned from white, to orange, to red only underscored the dreamlike feeling."

We only have a couple more days to restore the cosmic balance people! Get out and vote! I'll be there to cast my ballot too, we fly home November 1!!! Yep, our Asian adventure is coming to a close. We'll be in New York for a spell then off to Eastern Europe. Borsht for everyone!
 

Thursday, October 28
 

Hanoi Renaissance

Peace. Change has blossomed in Hanoi. Bikes have been replaced with motor scooters. Trendy shops and cafes are moving into the Old Quarter. And people are friendly and open, especially the young who are curious about Americans. Many cultures have run through Vietnam over the centuries, but its unique charm remains intact.

The elegant Hoan Kiem Lake.

There is no end to motor scooter traffic and noise!

I think the traffic cops just give up.

Cyclos. The old way of getting around, not so popular anymore. You can't help but imagine how quiet and charming the city must have been when everyone was on bicycles.

On the grounds of the serene Temple of Literature.

One Pillar Pagoda, built by a Vietnamese emperor in 1049. It was designed to resemble a lotus flower. The French destroyed it before quitting Hanoi in 1954. It has since been rebuilt.

The omni-present lotus, just beautiful.

Much of the French architecture is in a gorgeous state of ruin.

Then you have the monumental communist stuff. Why is it always so out of scale with human beings? Here is where Ho Chi Minh still lies in state.

We happened upon a gigantic parade in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Geneva pact ending French rule and were greeted with many smiles and waves.

Many brides and grooms outside the Opera House.

And babies...

And friendly faces all around. I played "Pete and Repete" with these little girls for a while. It goes like this: I say "hello," they say "HELLO!" I say "ready, smile," they say "READY SMILE!"