Dean waiting for me outside the bakery on our new scooter. He is looking like a xe om driver, a motorcyle taxi driver. They like to lounge on their bikes and wear baseball caps. When white people walk by they shout "hello! moto!" 

we got a water purifier so we don't have to pay for bottled water. it removes bacteria as well as heavy metals, which according to the package can "make you go crazy." It sits on top of our fridge. 

no ties for me 

Dean has to wear ties to work. Teachers are treated more respectfully here than at home, with a national teacher's holiday where teachers supposedly get gifts... it is Nov. 20 so we shall see.

Beer is cheaper than water. 

Hanoi style pho condiments: chile sauce, vinegar with raw garlic, raw chiles, limes, fish sauce. 

the view from our deck as dinnertime approaches 

the meat grilling station, with a fan to waft the smell through the neighborhood and tempt people. 

bun cha = spring rolls, grilled meatballs, chiles, raw garlic, herbs, lettuce, nuoc mam, noodles. 

 

 

view from the back of the motorcycle 

for Trevor - this is what a Vietnamese railroad crossing looks like. 

carving on the house of ceremonies. 

me 

clouds on the roof 

bonsai! 

gate to the second courtyard 

they put the names of all the scholars on these stone slabs carried by stone turtles. 

Thursday we went to the temple of literature. It is the 800-year old Confucian national university (not in use anymore). At tet they play live Chinese chess here. 

a street near Dean's workplace. 

a cool mosaic sculpture that was being worked on in the courtyard of the goethe institute. there were people standing behind the arms. 

pho. they do not give you hoisin sauce or basil for your pho here. they have jars of white vinegar half full of raw garlic and chiles. I will take a picture. 

a pretty school near our house. 

glad they have german bread! this bakery is called maison vanille and is about 5 minutes north of our house (walking). It is expensive compared to vietnamese food but it is still nice to have it. 

bakery counter.