Last evening in Hanoi...

So we indulged and went to an Australian-run cafe to split a really good cheeseburger - all organic, 8 ounces, real cheese...with really good fries. We also split a ginger pork stir-fry, so we didn't go totally Western. But, the burger was delicious - and will quench the craving for at least a week (we think). Any of you who have traveled abroad know the allure of a good burger at least once on your trek!

Tonight, we took our last stoll through Hanoi's beautiful Old Quarter, and attempted to bargain for some face towels to use on the train ride tonight. Unfortunately, the negotiating didn't go so well, which isn't exactly a total surprise since neither of us can recall enough Vietnamese to carry on a complete dialogue. And, frankly, when we can recall the words we pronounce them incorrectly (darn tonal language!!). A couple of the vendors were so unmoved by our attempt to speak in Vietnamese that they immediately responded to us in English.

Anyway, our gig went like this: Michelle would ask "how much" and then translate the dollar amount quoted by the vendor. My job was to remember how to say (and then remark) "that's too expensive". Our Vietnamese Vaudeville act did little to impress the vendors, and none of them budged on the price. So we had to settle for paying the outrageous sum of 75 cents for two wash cloths. Not a bad deal, really.