(Huey) Well thanks to the wonders of modern travel I now wake up at 5AM which means I am having a bowl of Pho by about 6 with the many vendors who will soon open up their shops around Hanoi...

Quite a peaceful place in the morning when the markets are just setting up. Its been fun trying to find the old places I used to go to when I spent my summer here. My old house in the old town has been turned into either a shoe store or a pharmacy...all in the name of progress. Having said that, there's still a lot of dead animals on the streets. Check out the fotos if we are able to upload them. Some live pigs get to ride around on the back of mopeds, some aren't so lucky and may be on our sandwich tomorrow. The bootleg merchandise is also getting much better. Irina bought a great army green messenger bag by Louis Vuitton. stylin. We are searching for Prada next...stay tuned. Did I mention how cold it is here? Need wool sweaters and we are anxious to work our way south. Oh and we have a local VN phone number which is: 0904 325 715. It keeps us in touch with all the grandmas here in Hanoi. (I got yelled at for not calling home) I think the country code is 84 so you would dial/text from the US 011 84 904 325 715.

Off to check out the art galleries, eat and see water buffalos (puppets).