Persongalleriet #714: Hanoi, Thursday

March 16th, 2017.
When returning from my walk the day before, I had noticed there was another stretch of railroad tracks with houses on either side, just south of the main train station. This is where I started my day and after I walked that pretty short stretch, I walked another set of alleys a little further south from where I've walked before.

The guy behind the door in this photo, turned out to speak good English. We talked about the impracticality of living right on the railroad and went on to talk about Hanoi's traffic situation. He told me there were plans for a subway and also an elevated railway and that in 10 years, Hanoi might have a much better traffic situation. Now it's a city of 7-8 million with no other public transport than a few bus lines. That explains that there's a LOT of motorbikes! And actually quite a lot of cars also. I have met quite a few Vietnamese people on the streets who complain to me about all these bikes.

Be well, everybody!

Niklas

Persongalleriet #713: Hanoi, Wednesday

March 15th, 2017.
Although I had a very nice midday walk, I'll just show one photo from it.

Instead I'll concentrate on the evening walk. Some drama in the electric lights and wet glistening streets...

Be well, everybody!

Niklas

Persongalleriet #712: Hanoi, Tuesday

March 14th, 2017.
Started off the day by going to the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and built in 1070 a.d.

A place of peace and quiet and beauty.

I spent an hour or so at the temple and then set out on the streets again. Including the lunch break, I ended up spending six hours out there.

Washing up can be fun!

Madam & the Mannequins.

Half a Pig.

Be well, everybody!

Niklas

Persongalleriet #711: Hanoi, Monday

March 13th, 2017.
Sunday became a day of rest. Although I did some photography work on the computer, I didn't take the camera out at all. In fact I didn't even leave the hotel until it was time to get some dinner in the evening. And even then I bought a pizza to go and ate it in the room. I felt I really needed  the rest, not just from taking pictures, but also from the intensity of the street. The sounds, the smells, the crowds, the heat, the fumes.

Monday morning I felt reinvigorated and went on a walk through the Old Town towards Cho Dong Xuan market. It was the normal very light drizzle, feeling more like the air humidity has passed 100% rather than actual rain.

A Cosy Spot.

Look Left.

At the Welder's Shop.

At Cho Dong Xuan.

Market Blues.

I had a lunch of the famous Bun Cha. Barbequed pork in a noodle soup wih garlic and chili and fresh herbs. Daaaa-licious!  :-)

For the afternoon walk I chose to go back once more to what has become a favourite neighborhood. South and southwest of my hotel, there are a lot of narrow winding alleys, with almost no tourists at all. Well, I was there, so one! 

The Stretch.

Raw Red Bricks.

The tourist attraction located in this part of Hanoi is the Temple of Literature, and I passed by it gates at the end of the day:

At the Gates.

I've passed by a couple of times now and it looks really nice. I decided to be a good tourist and visit it the next day!

Be well, everybody!

Niklas

Persongalleriet #710: Hanoi, Saturday

March 11th, 2017
On this day, I went on two walks with a short lunch break in between. I moved through roughly the same neighborhood as on Wednesday afternoon, extending my perimeter.

One of the first photos of the day was a street portrait. It turned out to become the theme of the day. This first one was unposed, but several times during the day I was asked to shoot portraits of the extremely friendly people I met.

Here's a second street portrait shot on the fly:

The four below are posed, though:

Be well, everybody!

Niklas