lotteria
do you know what’s amazing about hanoi? no McDonald’s. no Starbucks. ok, granted there is KFC, but can you imagine such a glorious thing? do you know what’s not amazing about hanoi? Lotteria.
goldfish on a bike
the funnier sight may have been me trying to take a picture of this guy while cycling myself.
here comes Tet
Têt (essentially chinese new year) is coming, and the shopping frenzy continues.
bun cha, part 2
very fine bun cha place on my street. close-up on the meaty goodness: bun cha apparatus: bucket o’ coals, meat in a grill clamp, fan to keep the (amazing amount of) smoke out of your face and into the street (good advertising), little bia hoi stool to do it all from. Doi Can street (just west of Van Bao, next … Read More
driving in hanoi
where sidewalks are apparently passing lanes. [VIDEO]… Read More
banh my pate egg
seems to be a cheaper version of banh my hue (don’t remember the price, but probably around 10,000 VND). yes, that is pate fried with an egg. you can’t imagine how delicious this is. this was a super popular place on doi can, but as of yesterday has been replaced by a skater shop of all things. poo.
’tis the season
posted in: cross-culture, hanoi
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christmas isn’t traditionally an important holiday, but the commercial aspects are gaining popularity among young people (how trendy). christmas lights everywhere, kitschy decorations… best of all: you can order a santa to come to your house (by motorbike, of course) to personally deliver presents for your kids (with the price varying on the quality of present you want). amusing to … Read More
(re) facing mecca
posted in: cross-culture
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article in the economist about re-building and expanding mecca from the current capacity of 900,000 to 1.5 million worshippers. among those approached for the project are two respected British architects, Norman Foster and Zaha Hadid. a slight controversy arises since Lord Foster is not a muslim; should he win the commission, he would have to implement his plans from a … Read More
chinese food, rejuvenated
Really great article in the New Yorker about a restaurateur’s quest to re-invigorate Chinese cuisine in Hangzhou, while using all-natural ingredients. “Sourcing our ingredients was a nightmare at first,” Zhou said. The buyers spent months driving out to remote villages, meeting farmers, and trying to set up a network of suppliers. They commissioned peasants to rear free-range chickens and ducks, … Read More
honda wave
100cc honda wave alpha. I’m renting it from VIP Bikes, which is run by an NGO (Blue Dragon) that focuses on disadvantaged youth. VIP Bikes trains street kids how to do motorbike repairs on the bikes they rent out (included in my contract is a monthly service). hence a shiny new bike and supporting a good cause–for 950,000 VND per … Read More