Anecdotes from Week #1 in Viet Nam

During the past week, I spent two nights in Ha Noi, and then travelled by bus to Hai Phong, to spend some time at the Research Institute for Marine Fisheries (RIMF). RIMF is filled with wonderful scientists working on fisheries, conservation, and marine science in Vietnam. They are very supportive of Project Seahorse and are making my life / research WAY easier!

Anyway. I had so many thoughts and random experiences during my first week, but here are a select few, which will hopefully give some insight into my first week in Vietnam: 

• I was extremely startled when I nearly stepped on a dead rat as I walked down the sidewalk in Ha Noi. Then it happened again. And again. Then again with two frogs. Then I wasn’t startled anymore and just made sure I watched where I was walking.  
• People take pictures of me ALL. THE. TIME. Mostly when I am eating. My Vietnamese hosts have complimented my chopstick skills, so hopefully the pictures people take aren’t because I look ridiculous doing it (although I still manage to splatter pho all over the place. Can’t keep the noodles under control yet).
• I was about to cross the street when I saw a man helping another man in hospital garb cross towards me. The patient started vomiting all over the street. I picked a different place to cross.
• I rode a motorbike for the first time on Tuesday. At night. My friend didn’t realize I’d never done it until I was already driving. Ha!
• People sell food everywhere. EVERYWHERE. All kinds too – pho, noodles, springrolls, fresh fruits, vegetables, you name it. There’s probably a stall two steps away from where you are currently standing. But if you go looking for your favourite fruit lady, chances are you won’t find her again. Devastating. 
• It seems normal for people to cough like they’re about to hack up a lung. It still startles me but hopefully I’ll get used to it soon.



Typical houses in Hanoi.

• Crossing the street is no easy feat here, as I’m sure you’ve all heard. You’re told to maintain a slow walking pace, and everything will go around you. That’s been fairly easy so far, but at places where five streets intersect, it’s a bit tougher. I usually wait until a local is about to go, and huddle close by. The other day, I kid you not, an old man helped me cross the street. He pretty much held my hand. How’s that for role-reversals?

• I paid $4.16 for a hair cut, and it wasn’t a complete massacre. Also, the women in the salon kept coming over to touch my hair. 
• Listening to music on the bus from Hanoi to Haiphong, some lyrics resounded with me: “Cause everywhere I go I’ll take another place with me” – Bon Iver.



Not like street beer, but still delicious.

• On Friday, I went for beers with the RIMF staff, and the director drove me to the “bar” (tiny blue stools on the side of the road, where everyone is served fresh “Bia” from a shack nearby). I slipped into the front seat of the swanky car, next to a man who speaks very little English, and J.Lo’s song “Dance in Love” started BLARING through the speakers. Maybe he has daughters.

• I saw a painting of Buddha with the words “Doubt everything. Find your own light.” written at the bottom. Hence the name of this blog.
• Pagodas (religious buildings) are quickly becoming my favourite places; not just because they are stunning, but because they are quiet. 

I think it says "If you follow these guidelines, you might have a baby that looks like this."

I got a tour of all of the specimens that RIMF has collected over the years. Including a baby whale shark. Cue strained smile!