Anne's blog travel 06-07

Last night I go to the Sheraton to meet with Andreas after his work. I take a motorbike/taxi to get there. Might as well get the full experience. The guy down at reception makes sure we've agreed to a price before we leave and that the driver (who speak little to no English) knows exactly where I'm going. I have to say that the staff at this hotel are simply lovely and always helpful. In fact he's negociated the price for me knowing full well what it should be. So off we go on this motorbike which must only be a 125 cc. Streets lights when they exists are merely suggestions...when it's red and you still want to go through...sound your horn many times...a stop sign is certainly not an indication to actually stop the vehicle...perhaps it acts more like a give way sign...and anytime you pass a vehicle from the right or the left side, just sound your horn so they know you are there especially if you are in the same lane with them. Needless to say it's an experience but we get there of course after the driver mistakingly takes me to the Sofitel Plaza hotel.

The Sheraton Hanoi is probably the newest of the big 5 star hotels in Hanoi. It's in the Tay Ho District (West Lakes)which is a little away from the Old Quarters. Seems like any other lovely big hotels with beautifully groomed staff and ambiance music played in the lounges. I meet with Andreas there and after a drink we just have diner at the buffet style restaurant there. We share about our experiences and also about the people we share in common. I give him news about Lorraine and Reg who were working with him in Sydney. If you met Andreas, you'd think he was just like any other manager working in a big hotel. "When I finished working for the peace corp in Gaza..." is not what you'd expect coming from someone like him but yet that really is his story. He also worked for three years in Ho Chi Minh city as an executive chef before returning to Australia (he's got citizenship) and eventually being offered a job for the Sydney games. Never thought he'd be back in Vietnam having worked many years in KL where he started to work for Sheraton. He's been in Hanoi 16 months now but would love to return to KL.

After diner he takes me over to a restaurant bar close by called the Vines. "I have a friend you must meet" he says "we call him the connector." So, we are taken next door to a wine tasting and I meet Donald (owner of the Vines) a Montrealer who has been living in Hanoi for 6.5 years. Of course his eyes light up at the mention that I'm from Montreal. He's a character. In fact all French Canadians and now I realise all Montrealers (he's english Canadian) I've met overseas have been real characters. He's a chef and you will find at Vines (amongs International cuisine) Pizza like Pendellis, Bagels and Lox, smoked meat imported from Lesters and of course "poutine" (an upmarket version) the typical french canadian snack (I'm almost embarassed but it's french fries, gravy and cheese mixed in the most undigestable way). It actually says a lot about Montreal's multi ethnicity and cosmopolitan status that Pizza, Bagels from the Jewish area, smoked meat from the "mafia side" and Poutine are typically Montreal food. Of course you'll find everything in Montreal but these things you probably would never find elsewhere. Donald and I have a argument with an Jewish American last night telling him the best bagels in the world are from Montreal. He maintains New York has the best bagels but he's never had Montreal Bagels. It's a well known fact indeed that Montreal Bagels are the best. People line up 30-40 deep to buy a dozen and eat two of them on the way to their cars as they melt in your mouth when they are still warm.

There is an eclectic and interesting mix of people. Miguel a big and somewhat loud American, born in the Virgin Islands and working for the US Embassy here for the last three years, tells me he's impressed by the young women he's met there last night. He said we were all independant, doing our own thing, seeing the world and adds that not so long ago that was only the domain of men.

He says that it's indeed an exciting time to be here in Vietnam and that Vietnam may just get it right and be an amazing place in 10-15 years. Another American woman there shares his excitement. She's been here six months and probably for another three working for the Clinton Foundation. Before that she says she was in Ghana. Another man there also works for the foundation. And it goes on with many interesting people and little time to talk to all of them.

# posted by AdeC @ 1:21 AM