Hanoi- Sensory Overload and Literal Meltdown...

As I marched determinedly towards the visa checking officer I began to notice my surroundings. This airport was not the dilapidated, make-shift building I was expecting. Still and all, appearances  can be deceiving and I had read enough travellers' holiday hell stories to realise that the fancy chrome and glass facade  could conceal a guard ready for extortion. I was almost disappointed when he stamped my visa and waved me a way with a cheery smile! I was ready for the blackmail, ready for the threats! But nothing came.

As we made our way from the airport I knew we were definitly in Asia. I didn't have enough eyes in my head to see everything I wanted to see.  There were farmers  cultivating rice in the fields, wearing those cone shaped hates, there were hoards and hoards of motorbikes, all beeping and honking frantically while the riders remained completely cool and collected under their  nose and mouth protective masks.  

As we arrived in Hanoi city the motorbike drivers were joined by fearless cyclists. There were woman carrying fruit in baskets slung across their shoulders. On every street my nose was accosted with rich smells, spicy pork was mixed with fish and stagnant water.  Every where I looked there was something weird and wonderful to see. There were groups of men sitting on tiny footstools  while little women beside them tried to sell fans, and water to the melting tourists. Oh. My. Lord.... THE HEAT!!!' It's  38 degrees Celsius today.  It's so hot that I could feel the ground burn my feet through my sandals. I am actually melting.  

A quick pit stop to buy some water and  we braved making our way through the chaos of  the city to reach Hoam Kiiem Lake. The pathways are filled with parked motorbikes or else little Vietnamese people sitting outside shops on stools. The only way to get where you need to go is to join the motorbikes and hope for the best.  

After a few sweaty minutes of walking we arrived at the lake. It's an amazing ,calming  area  in the midst of all of the chaos. There was a light breeze which helped to slightly lessen the melting. The lake itself is beautiful as is the  traditional red, wooden bridge that connects the land to the island temple.  While the temple was an impressive building, I felt it was taken over by tourists so it lacked that spiritual feeling. However after visiting the temple I felt much more calm returning to the madness off Hanoi's old town.  The first few hours were a complete shock to my system but anow I'm feeling excited to continue my Asian Adventure!