The Morning Routine

On the morning of our departure, the rain was threatening to come down, but it didn't. Not that it would have stopped the three of us from our morning routing which Tuck, Jones and I have kept up each and every morning for the past month. It is probably the thing I will miss most about Hanoi and my time here.

Wake up call is typically 5:30am; earlier more times than not; later if I am supremely lucky. After a quick bottle, a round of jumping on the trampoline (that would be me), a change and outfit selection, Tuck and Jones climb aboard their chariot and we head out to Ho Kiem Lake.

I estimate that I have looped this lake at least 200 times, and every day greets us with new sights, familiar faces and new friends. We're usually in power-walk mode, easily outpacing almost everyone except the runners. But, we never get very far before someone screams "Vietnam?" or "sinh đôi?" or "photo?"... Almost everyone looks at us; gawks at us more accurately. Most smile and wave at the twins, and then give me a look of sometimes bewilderment, sometimes approval. I've gotten high fives, waves, thumbs up and pats on the back. It amazes me the effect that these two little guys have on people. They hit almost everyone they roll by with a tickle of happiness, causing almost everyone to pause and acknowledge their presence.

Between 5:30a - 6:30a, you can see it all. Classes in fan dancing, aerobics, Tai Chi, sword dancing. People exercising in every conceivable way, with every kind of arm flapping possible. Grandfathers with their grandchildren. Meditation Man, who lays his body on a think metal fence almost every morning, not moving a muscle. A line-up of 25 or so ladies patting and pounding each other on their backs.... I could go on forever!

Below is a slide show of some of the sights...