Keeping pets is a popular pastime here. Well, small dogs and even smaller birds.
and with a balcony that looks out across Tay Ho – the largest lake in Hanoi. The view is pretty good…
Chihuahuas (I think I spelled that right) are the most popular dog and can be seen everywhere. Larger dogs can be seen too but one thing you’ll rarely see is someone walking their dog. It seems pets are for looking at and it’s not uncommon to see a largeish dog in a cage that is barely big enough for it to move around. The Chihuahuas are often left to roam free though but look rather frightened on the streets with all those bikes whizzing by. There are a lot of dog meat restaurants around but I’m told that the dogs are bred specially for them. That’s probably true but if I had a dog, I’d keep a close eye on it.
The birds are kept in cages too of course. Wicker ones – they’re put out to hang in the morning and brought in at night. Some people really go to town and have loads. If they don’t have enough they get on their bike, put a red cover over the cage (it’s always red it seems), and drive over to friends for a sort of ‘bird get-together’. Even birds need to see their mates I suppose.
I
was walking home the other day and came across this fine-looking chap sitting
on the railings of the bridge near my flat. It’s an eagle I believe, possibly a
greater spotted eagle (any experts, please advise). It’s got a wingspan of about a metre and a
beak that could take your finger off so I thought I’d keep my distance. It was
on a wire so it could be trained to fly to its owner on the other side of the small
lake. If I lived in Britain and saw this, I’d probably ring the police, the
RSPCA and everyone I know. In Hanoi, I took some photos and wandered by. I
think I’m getting accustomed to life here.
*****
My
latest news is that I’ve moved flats. I now live in a flat in a quiet street
The building to the right is The Hanoi Club, a rather expensive club where I could play
squash if I was prepared to pay the silly prices. In the foreground you can see
the golf driving range where you practise your swing by hitting (floating) golf
balls into the lake.
*****
Haircuts
can be had on the street. There are disadvantages – the barbers don’t speak
English so there is a chance of a misunderstanding. I know of people being
virtually scalped (very short hair is quite popular). However, I found this
chap (that isn’t me in the chair) who does a very good job for the equivalent
of £1. He has a large battery in a box sunk into the ground that powers the
clippers.
*****
We
recently had a half term holiday so I went to Hoi An – a town in the centre of
the country. The first thing I took a photo of was at the airport. The
Vietnamese must wonder why so many westerners crowd round this taking photos …
I
got to Hoi An and came across this in one of the backstreets …
And
here they are for sale, should you need a swallow’s nest or two.
Hoi
An is a lovely place. The Old Quarter has been preserved well and is delightful.
*****
Bike photo of the month
It’s
not unusual to see young girls holding umbrellas while riding a bike but this
lady has been quite imaginative I’d say.
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