truc bach lake

we sat by the sidewalk. there were mats and tables where we had our drinks and food. it was nighttime and busy. the place was really a night spot and a local favorite. people, bikes and cars passed us by. we were celebrating the birthday of one of my students.

my other student with a motorbike picked me up and so we went. it was a longer ride compared to my work route. we went further north of hanoi - truc bach lake which is beside west lake (the largest lake in hanoi).

we were the last to arrive. there were dry-roasted peanuts on the small table. we sat assuming lotus position. i felt my belly getting tight.

we had hotpot with vegetables, clams, duck fetus, pineapple, taro, shrimp, meat strips, tofu wraps, aside from the fresh spring rolls. there was whisky that went with the food as well.

i still could not believe that i am now in vietnam.

i got a helmet!

before coming to vietnam, i was already advised to get a motorbike because it is the most convenient aside from being a cheaper means of transport. since i arrived though, i have been used to the luxury of the local cabs. the use of the xe om was already mentioned to me but i guessed i was a bit scared of being a backrider in a bike. the xe oms do not speak english. the xe oms do not drive very fast but i was thinking of how they make their way through the traffic - going through the red light, cutting through other drivers, use of the sidewalk, etc.

i had my first taste of it though, when the son of my landlord took me shopping on my first night in my flat. he picked me up and he was on his motorbike, and with a spare helmet. i had no choice but to ride. and it was not really as scary as i thought it would be.

still i used the cab to go to work. especially when i got to know of a reliable and reasonable taxi service.

however, one day one of my students offered to pick me up for my early morning class. of course, if decide to ride with him, i had to buy a helmet. so i did.

i got it for vnd 165,000. for a piece, helmets can cost from vnd 20,000 and up. mine was nothing fancy. just had comfortable fit.