Hanoi, Vietnam

3/2/14

I left the family in Ninh Binh after we had the Sunday family lunch. It was hard to say good-bye even though I only spent two weeks with them. I felt that they did so much for me, but in Vietnam it is just a natural thing for a family to do whatever they can do to help you once you are a part of the family. On the other hand, if you have too much consideration just because you are a guest, it might become harder to be a part of a family.    

The family and some kids from the neighborhood waited a bus for me to go to Hanoi. It took about three hours while I was in the very back seat with seven other people even though it was for five people maximum. But I guess what we call "maximum" is again based on our perspectives. By the time I couldn't feel my butt, I arrived in Hanoi. So many taxi or motorcycle guys already found me even before the bus completely stopped. Fortunately the family in Ninh Binh arranged for me to meet with their sister-in-law, Linh, to pick me up, and somehow she found me in this crazy bus station. I don't know what else to describe this place besides "CRAZINESS!!!". I was so glad there was Linh. I rode on the back of her motorcycle, and the traffic was again crazy...It looked like there was no law once you are in a road, but I have to say that this is one of my favorite parts to ride on the back of a motorcycle in this hectic place! 

Linh took me to a restaurant and her favorite ice cream shop while she was showing me the night scene of Hanoi.   

I stayed with her for the night and even shared the bed (It's nice of her to share her bed even though she just met me a few hours ago). Thanks Linh!         

３月２日

毎週日曜日の家族皆でのお昼ごはんの後ニンビンを出発。２週間しか過ごしていないのに、別れがこんなにも悲しいものか。家族皆些細な事ながら本当によくしてくれた。ベトナムでは一回家族の一員として受け入れてくれると、本当にいろいろ手助けしてくれるが、家族に対しては当たり前らしい。逆に日本的な「気遣い」があり過ぎると多分入り込めないのかもしれない。

家族と近所の子供達が見送ってくれ、ゆっくりバイバイを言う暇もなくバスは走りだした。一番後ろの席に座らされ、５人乗りのはずの椅子に自分を含め８人押し込まれ訳３時間。左側のお尻の痛さに我慢できなくなりそうな頃、ハノイに到着。バスが完全に止まる前から、タクシーやバイクのおっちゃん達にもう目を付けられ、窓の外から声を掛けてくる（このシーンは想像はしていたが、想像以上だった）。これまたありがたい事に、ニンビンの家族が親戚の子に迎えを頼んでおいてくれ、その子（Linh)がバスの入り口から他のおっちゃん達を押し切り「まよさん！」と言って見つけてくれた。一人旅でこんなに甘えさせてもらっていいものかと思う反面、とりあえず一安心。彼女のバイクの後ろに乗り、一端荷物を彼女のアパートに置いた後、夜ご飯も含め夜のハノイの観光に連れて行ってくれた。ハノイの交通状態は一言で言うと「クレイジー！！！」。法律もへったくりもない様に見えるが、きっとベトナム人なら理解できる法律は一応あるのだろう。クレイジーながらに、バイクの後ろに乗って（運転はしたくないけど）この激しい路上に出るのは結構楽しく、ちょっとやみつきになりそう。夜はLinhの家に一泊させてもらう。かなり小さめの部屋でベッド一つと小さなコンロがあり、トイレと流しは一緒（ここでシャワーもトイレを流す水も調理につかう水も全て一緒）。数時間前に初めて会ったのに、Linhはベッドもシェアし泊まらせてくれた。

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