After resting a bit for my upset stomach I read there was an Independence Museum closeby that was free but closed at 4.30. It was now 3.30 so I tried to walk over. Passing by the lake there was a woman with one leg and crutches. I wanted to give her money but she tried to shove a melon in my bag and ask for $5. Also unlike HCMC, there are no convenience stores here to buy snacks or drinks. I found my way on the map to the general area of the Independence Museum but I couldnt find anything. A block or two up was the Bach Ma Temple. This was a small traditional temple like many of the temples I had now become accustomed to seeing. Here there was also a rare convenience store. However, prices were nowhere in comparison to HCMC and everything was rather steep by local standards. Working my way down thru the old quarter I came to Ly Quoc Su Pagoda, another small temple. This led me to the old quarters main cathedral. Now I had to find some food. There were streetside vendors selling fresh crusty bread for 5000 (.25 cents) so I bought three to stock up for the Halong Bay trip tomorrow, as I had an early morning departure so wouldnt have time to come back. I also did a price comparison between korean burger restaurant lotteria and KFC I ended up with KFC as it was cheaper at 34,000 ($1.75) and had a different menu item. I got two fried fish sticks with rice and vegetables. For dessert also got a pineapple from one of the street ladies for 10,000 (.50 cents). I think she was the first one I saw the night I arrived so I finally got to buy one from her as promised but she didnt like my haggling. Then I tried to buy tickets for the water puppet theatre which had shows almost every other hour to 9pm. The next show was sold out so I didnt bother asking for the others. Vietnam is famous for the water puppet theater. Performers will stand in a pool of water hidden behind a fabric stretched across. Above they will hold the puppets but it all gets rather splashy the closer you are to the front. Tickets were $3 with another $1 for filming, so not that bad, but you need to buy ahead as my book suggested. I also came across a large supermarket hidden down an alleyway close to the hostel. Again, prices were higher than HCMC but lower than other prices I had seen in Hanoi stores. I stocked up some more food for tomorrows trip and bought a peanut and seaweed candy bag as a present for the teachers back at school.