teisipäev, 15. mai 2018

Good Morning, Vietnam! Egg coffee







In order to not to miss our breakfast, we did set the alarm and ran straight from bed to the rooftop. Being the last customers before they closed the restaurant, it also meant less chioce in regards to the fruit selection. We'll try better tomorrow, because little variety in fruits does not make me happy. Before leaving we informed the reception that there is a small issue with the sewage in the bathroom. They apologised thoroughly and promised to solve it. After we returned, they were waiting with the all team to apologise some more for all the inconveniencies caused. They assured us that the problem has been taken care of, they will give us 10USD discount for the inconvenience and should the problem arise again, they would be very sorry, but they would need to insist to offer us a new room. Fingers crossed for no other issues in the bathroom!

First visit of the day took us to the biggest indoor market in Hanoi. Within 15 minutes we had squeezed ourselves through all kinds of stands and stormed out to get some air only to find out that with more than 100F there was no air outside either.

Since we had done some brainstorming yesterday and written down soem stuff to do in Hanoi, we chose the next thing on the list, which was egg coffee. During the war time, when there was not enough milk, one wise guy had the Heureka moment and decided to use egg yolk instead of milk. He whipped the egg with sugar added some sweet condensed milk and poured it over the black coffee. New hit was born! Even now, years later - if you haven't had a  cup of egg coffee, you haven't been to Hanoi. So, we chose a cafe, sat down and ordered two egg coffees, which in different annals is described as liquid tiramisu. They've probably never had tiramisu. THere was hot back coffee in the cup, covered with warm, sticky and sweet egg yolk, which more or less blocked the coffee.

From the coffee experience we walked to the prison museum, where the French back in the times kept and inhumanly tortured Vietnamese people and later the Vietnamese people kept Americans. No torturing the Americans. I somehow find the Patarei prison more interesting.

We had a short afternoon siesta to go out for some more walking and sightseeing. Since we hadn't been very happy with the food so far, we googled some and chose an organic vegetarian restaurant. On the way there we also planned to figure out a daytrip for tomorrow and book it. After asking in few places we decided not to go. All they had to offer was a full day of bus riding with few stops to watch some buildings on the way. So, we changed the plan and decided to go on a Free Local Food Tour. Booked it online on the spot and got a confirmation e-mail that stated that in case we are happy with the tour they expect a donation of 9USD each.

We found a rooftop bar with some great views in our 'hood and went there to enjoy some.

All day we saw locals burning fake money in portable burger. In the evening there were bonfires instead of the burger, where they kept throwing fake money into the fire. It wasn' t however citizen initiative against counterfeit money, but apparently something they do once a month during young moon night to invite health, wealth and good luck to themselves. After sunset we walked around the nearby lake and went back to the hotel.

The girl in the reception apologised once more for all the inconveniencies caused regarding the bathroom. We went to the room and before we could take a shower, it was clear that the problem was still there. I walked down again and very politely let the Houston know that we still have the problem. The girl apologised again and took action. They luckily had another room available and while apologising she asked if we would mind very much changing the room. We didn't. She asked then, if we would mind packing our things. We didn't mind that either. I stood there for a second to get the key, so we can move to another room, but they apparently had other plans. We started packing when the phone rang and the receptionist inquired, if we would mind very much going downstairs after  we have finished packing. So we took our backpacks and walked to the reception. Again, no kes. Instead they asked us to take a seat on the couch. They apologised again, explaining that the issue can sometimes Occasional, especially after heavy rain like they had few days ago. And in those cases they don't have any other option but to change the rooms for customers. They are very sorry about that though. We assured that need not to worry and it's not their foult. Anyway, they asked a guy smaller than us to take out bags. He put one on his back and another in front and led us to the elevator. Our new room was on the third floor. One floor higher than the previous one. Sewage seemed OK.

At 10PM we decided that we need now fresh juice and walked to a cafe around the corner, where the owner didn't speak even one word English, not even common phrases like sugar or milk.

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