Hanoi 030706 The highlight for me was Sunday night at the Hanoi Opera House- where I had a wonderful classical experience- Mozart -Symphony in C major "Jupiter" along with some P Tchaichovsky- Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker - the conductor was as high as a bird bath with the longest shoes imaginable- but boy when he picked up his baton- he created a symphony of shear joy. As always I had a few tears in my eyes- it was simply magical. The enormous pleasure it gave me - makes me realise I have to follow this love when I come home- a trip to the odd classical concert will have to come into my Bar Sur Loup existance. My mind is full to bursting of little cameos- I will not drone on too much but the wonder of Hanoi is - all the streets are so logical.Basically - they are split into streets of wares- there are streets selling bras, babies clothes, rubber tyres, motor bike seats, alluminium pots, kitchen wares, foods in jars you cannot fathom, lotions & potions,shoes, silk tops,galleries.The great thing is the streets are named after the item they sell.So you have: HANG DONG- copper items HANG DUONG-sugar items HANG CHIEU-mats HANG DAU-beans or oils HANG BONG-cotton HANG BAC-silversmiths HANG RUOI-clam worms!! HANG KHOAI-sweet potatoes HANG THAN-charcoal HANG CHAI-bottles HANG BO- baskets HANG-GA-chicken HANG GIA-silk HANG NON-hats HANG TRE-bamboo HANG THAN-charcoal and so on. How useful is that? I am finding my way slowly around -but have no fear- am not getting cocky -otherwise I know I would find myself up some dark alley with no clue and heart a pounding.Word of caution: ALWAYS HAVE HOTEL CARD IN HANDBAG-- Have just got back from my favourite restaurant-Brothers Cafe- the Buddhist temple- turned restaurant.Outstanding- met 2 lots of people I have met during my travels- one family on cookery course and the other couple from Ethiopia and USA. He looks so like David Blaine the magician had to tell him....Great atmosphere and some great wine- Seafood clams & prawns on BBQ-Pho Bo -beef noodle soup- and a general buffet of perhaps 75 items. Superb-- I think my bill was $22!! My cookery course at the Sofitel Metropole is tomorrow - so goody more food! Didier the chef is a bit of a celebrity in Hanoi - all the Hanoi ites know him personally and could not praise him more highly. So hope he can teach me a thing or three. Have booked for a boat trip in Halong Bay on Wednesday- 2 days 1 night- so really looking forward to that..Scenically it is said to be spectacular. So a few Kodak moments due! My fond love to friends logging on-- miss you and love you madly. Hx