Club Jet Lag Hanoi

IPlease don't let that title mislead you. Certainly Hanoi is quite cosmopolitan and capable of quality raves and bumping nightlife. 

No, the only Club I refer to is the hitting kind. And we weren't in Hanoi long before it struck. 

From Taipei, we landed in Hanoi two and a half hours later. Enough for another nap and 2nd (Asian) breakfast. We then got into Hanoi at 11 in the morning. Negotiating our visa wasn't exactly straightforward upon entry. We walked to customs and by flow of people we found a desk with a line of foreigners under "visa application." Now we had prepaid to organize a Visa On Arrival (VOA), so we merely gave them our passports and a letter they sent indicating entry type and dates. After milling around for about 20 minutes, our names were called and passports returned after paying $50 each. We then passed through customs line, were stamped in, and then we collected our bags. 

We had heard outside the airport is chaotic. Once our hostel offered to pick us up, we jumped at it. So, for the first time in my life, I had someone outside the airport waiting with my name on a paper. He brought us outside, went to get his car, and then started the 30 minute ride to the city center. Our driver was very nice, spoke English well, and asked many questions. He gave some travel advice as we neared our hostel. Then he called to have us picked up. It was down a tiny alley, but was perfect. They gave us bananas and tea while we waited. 

We used their wifi while we took in the scenes. 

And we plotted our first moves. 

Eventually, we were led to our room on the fourth floor. 

We promptly used that shower (two settings: cold and scalding). And then got our things ready to set out. I made a coffee. 

About that same time, Mer felt a little nauseous and needed just a little nap. Two o'clock turned to 3 and then to 4. 

Then, my head drooped as I fell asleep in the chair. Eventually, I mozied to the bed as Mer woke up. I was so disoriented and eyes dry after napping in contacts, that I said I was done. 

"Okay," Meredith declared. "I just needed to know we're in for the night."

It led to a ridiculous scene where I took out my contacts, only to have Meredith do the same a minute later, but mistaked my case for hers and splashed the liquid on the floor. (Hint: don't bring the same cases). After brushing my teeth, I found a contact in the sink and in my stupor, stated monotonously, "I found a contact in the sink." Mer figured it out before I did and collapsed in giggles on the floor. 

"I used your case!" She laughed roaringly. "I wondered why there was solution in it." 

"Wait," I thought aloud, "Where's my other one?"

 

I searched for a moment and found a lone blue lens on the bathroom floor. Despite her continuing giggles, Mer helped return them to solution. 

We then set an alarm for 6 am (to get up for the start of breakfast at 7.)

"What time is it right now?" Meredith asked. 

"6:30," I answered settling my head on my pillow. 

I guess Hanoi will have to wait another day. Jet lag hit us well. We'd lost 1 day in travel (where'd you go, Thursday?) and now another to the plague of bad sleep and flipped daylight. At least the bed was comfy and the AC worked well. 

Good night, day 1. 

Hello (Kitty) long flight

By CP

Our stay in Houston was nice, if brief. Thanks Yen and Mitch for letting us "Uber" crash your house for a bit. We ubered to their house, talked, and had dinner. 

I picked up a few Vietnamese language tips, thanks to their daughter's Vietnamese school books. 

After dinner, we then ubered to the airport (why again did the city of Austin vote out Uber?) Despite Houston being a major international hub, there's not a lot of flights departing the international terminal at midnight. 

We took a nap at our gate to await our 1:15 departure. Once it was time to board, EVA airlines did not disappoint. 

I really hope Hello Kitty is getting a cut of all this sponsorship. Because that cat was everywhere!

Initially, Mer and I were seated apart on this 3-4-3 plane. Although only a row and a few seat difference, we still wanted to sit together and none of the desk agents could help. So, once we boarded, we talked with those around us. Finally, an older woman (who also wanted an aisle seat) started negotiated on our behalf. Eventually we got it, with little thanks to solo traveler at our end aisle seat. We then settled in for the long flight. 

Personally for me (Chris) the 15 hour flight was the longest I'd ever been on. I stayed awake long enough for dinner. (Even the silverware featured that lovable white feline.) I watched a movie before falling asleep … for 8 hours. I woke up for a snack. Then Meredith suggested that I had now slept for US night. Now it was time to sleep for the Asia night. So I settled in for more sleep. We woke up in time for breakfast. We each watched another movie. We played some games on EVA airlines entertainment (Sudoku!) And, before we knew it, Taipei was in reach. We took an interesting arc to get there (for straight line globe people like me). 

It included a slice up toward the Northeast, by Alaska, down through Siberia, over Japan, and then into Taiwan. Despite our long night/day/night, Taipei didn't lack for ambiance notwithstanding our tired/disoriented state. 

So interestingly themed and decorated. (Hello more Hello Kitty!)

As I type, I can see our next plane might lack luster. 

But our trip has been good and interesting thus far. 

Next stop, Hanoi!

And we're off!

It starts in Austin, TX at the University of Texas. A ride from a friend (thanks Austin and Ellie!) brought us to campus where we catch the Megabus to Houston. So far, we're all smiles. 

After arriving in Houston, we'll arrange transport to the airport (friend, Uber, Metro?) whereupon we will wait for our 1 am departure to Taipei. We'll have a short layover before continuing onto … 

(Drumroll, please) …

Vietnam! We should be arriving in Hanoi around 11 am and the adventure will start from there. 

Pray for safe travels. If you keep up with this blog, we will be updating regularly again (sorry, 2015).

Vietnam, here we come!

BA Day 6, the journey home

Okay, slightly dramatic title since we really had more than a half day left in Buenos Aires. However, it would culminate with the start of our trip home. 

We woke up for our last morning at our 5 star location. We did still relish it slightly. Bright morning peeking through heavy shades. Large shower space with variety of wine-themed bath products. Towels bigger than you bring to the beach. 

We then subsequently, had to repack our bags. We loaded up our clothes, repacked our toiletries, and even had to prep our return to the US (by readying our carry-on bags.)

Then, it was BA go time. We wanted to make the English tour at Recoleta cemetery, so we checked out and stored our bags before hustling off again to Recoleta. 

We made the tour in time, but the free English tour took its sweet Latin American time to start. And even then, we confused the lisp in our guide for Castillean Spanish, only realizing later she was actually speaking English. 

First off, she explained a mystery to me in the cemetery: the cats. 

Everywhere else we've been, it's always about the stray dogs. Here, however, it's the cats the roam. She explained that there's a rumor that the cats help contain the spirits that like to roam at night. However, she also opined that the woman that comes to feed the animals each day may also heavily influence their presence. 

Mystery solved. She then also explained several other of the monuments and sarcophagi. Still amazing. We saw the first tomb, the wife of Gen. San Martin (the liberator and hero of Argentina). As well as some of the most elaborate. 

We a also heard a lot more about Evita. Especially, before visiting her tomb. 

In all, the tour lasted about an hour. Afterwards, we decided our skipping breakfast led to a ravenous hunger. We decided against the nearby McDonalds in favor of the far more expensive cafe next door. Tipping it's favor was the XL alfajor. 

However delicious this stop was, it did not fill us as we had hoped. After debate, we decided to make for a restaurant we knew would satisfy well, the restaurant at the Evita Museum. We made our dash. 

The menu of the day included more hake (with guarnación), a glass of Malbec and coffe or dessert. Delicious!

(Despite Meredith's face, she was happy with the dulce de leche at the bottom.)

Then we weighed our options. There was a Haulocaust museum we had wanted to see, but it's a rough way to end a trip. We also thought about more strolling through Recoleta, but it would be awhile to get there and then awhile back. The truth was we really only had an extra 20 minutes or so, before needing to be back at the hotel and departing for the (hour drive to the) airport. So we had to spend our 20 minutes wisely.

Last stop for dulce de leche and chocolate! 

From Freddo, we got back to the hotel and collected our belongings. 

Then we got in our taxi and rode the hour and paid 315 pesos. We shifted our things around to prepare for flight, checked in, went through customs and security, and then sat for our departure. 

(Mer insisted on the pose.)

Next stop, USA! 

BA Day 4

Five star wake up. 

Our new hotel is huge. Our room is such a drastic upgrade over previous rooms we've stayed in, it's almost indescribable. However, it does explain our later wake up and our tardy start. With so much room, we were almost lost!

We did, however, make it out the door. I wanted to see San Telmo, birthplace of tango and home to artisans and bohemians galore. Also, on Sunday, there's a large artisan fair. 

First, I started us down the large commercial street. There are so many money changers in the street announcing themselves, both Mer and I were tired of hearing, "cambio, cambio" shouted in the streets. If they happened to hear a word in English, immediately they start in with, "Hello. How are you? Where are you from?" Oddly specific and uncomfortably intimate, we decided street hawkers are their own breed. Is there an international school somewhere that sends these specialized workers into super urban workspaces?

Eventually, we navigated ourselves to the Plaza de Mayo (my target). What I did not know was there was the largest Cathedral in the city. Also, they had an archbishop of some renown that previously officiated there. 

Although he was promoted to a more prominent position in the Vatican (interesting note: the Spanish word for Pope and potato are the same, papa.) However, one important person remained at the Cathedral. Literally, the remains of Argentina's liberator (and Chile and Peru), José de San Martin. 

I've seen more people buried in churches than anywhere else I've seen this trip. After our visit, we made our exit. 

Then, immediately in the corner of the same plaza is the presidential residence. Like the residence in our own USA, it's named after the color. 

But, the Casa Rosada would have to wait. I wanted the fair first. And the street fair we found. 

It was such a leisurely stroll up all 11 blocks. There were crafts, art, and music. Mer bought a headband. She commented about the street being filled with Pinterest projects. I hoped to see some tango, but it was all pretty commercialized (pay to play). We even found lunch in a smallish restaurant (still charging cubiertos!) Eventually, we decided we were good and headed back to the plaza. It was time for the Casa Rosada (Pink House). 

We waited in line for entrance through the metal detector. A funny incident came when I set off the alarm and in the middle of explaining what it could have been, the guard said I looked like the great Argentine footballer, Leonel Messi. I thanked him for the compliment and I was allowed to pass. (Mer adds that this is not the first time this comment had been made. Her tico friends have commented as much.)

Again we had to wait on the inside for our tour to depart. All in Spanish, the tour was a bit rushed. There was some history and explanations, like the blue room used to greet incoming dignitaries. 

There were others too, like the press room where we watched the President (Christina) address the nation on TV our first day in BA. 

We even got to go on the balcony where Evita gave her rousing speeches to the beloved masses below. Madonna filmed a part of Evita (so I've heard) from this balcony and the Pope has been here, too. 

There was a great work outside the actual presidential workspace of the Perons themselves too.

Our tour then ended and we were led to the exit. And we headed to a cafe to sit, drink coffee, and use wi-fi. 

As evening began to descend, we walked back to our hotel along the infamous Avenida Florida again ("cambio, cambio") for a quick stopover at the hotel. It was, however, long enough to be there for 'turn down service.' Sure she opened the bed, but more importantly she left us each chocolates! 

Finally, we made our way to El Sanjuanino for dinner. It was entirely full, so we milled near the door for a moment, until a waiter signaled us down the stairs in the back. There was more seating downstairs. It was a really cute place. We figured out a good Malbec to have based on last night's advice (newer = sweeter, sweeter = happier wife). Mer had the lentil soup. 

I went for the half beef steak. 

We even had some time for some word games. 

There was even time for a little dessert, an interesting, yet delicious, chocolate mousse. 

It was a really nice dinner. We felt in our own space in the booth (which did add difficulty to grabbing our waiter's attention.) 

Truly, though, it was our walk home we'll remember most. As the chilly evening wrapped around us, we happened upon such a sight along the main road that our cores hurt from the belly laughter. A man was carrying two large garbage bags with a string tied behind him connecting up to 17 cars made from plastic bottles. We could hear the simultaneous rolling of 34 plastic wheels rolling down the streets if Buenos Aires. 

More than the sight and sound of this man and his stringed plastic cars, was the fact that his path coincided with ours for nearly 10 blocks. We got to see the faces of everyone he passed. If it wasn't a double (or triple) take, then it was a confused face of 'What the …' We then would follow just behind and share in the laughter … for all 10 blocks. Through stop lights and crosswalks, this man dragged these plastic marvels through inhabited city streets, eliciting wonder and joy as he went. 

Thank you, sir, for the wonderful, early anniversary gift.