Good Morning Vietnam!!!

I loved that movie Good Morning Vietnam with Robin Williams.

Just remembering his weather forecast announcements makes me laugh again  and helps cope with the humidity while trying to enjoy a morning coffee on our small balcony with the view of the Hanoi Cathedral from our window, and the first Catholic Church I have seen. 7% of Vietnamese are Catholics and the weekend mass is so popular that people are parked all around the outside listening to the music and mass from speakers outside.
Unfortunately we didn't get to go in, but we hear the inside is in great condition while the outside carries the cost of being in a big city with a lot of pollution.

Another view from our balcony.

Good Morning Vietnam also makes me think of the history of war here in Vietnam. A controversial piece in history that is interesting to view from the other side.
On paying our respects to Ho Chi Minh's embalmed corpse we see the amazing respect this man gets from the people. With guards everywhere keeping you in line, respectful and quiet we make our way through the complex and off to the museum and feel a bit more the reality that we are in a communist country.

We have seen a lot museums on our travels and it has been interesting to see what and how history was remembered and is presented to the people.
Here Ho Chi Minh rescued the people from oppressors and brought national unity and freedom with peace and happiness for all.  No mention of purifying the country of those who didn't join in the communist way of thinking, the concentration/retraining camps and other horrors that come with war.

Reality seems to be that we focus on things that help us justify our choices and our beliefs.

Couldn't help but feel like a rock star as I often got asked to pose with locals who were outgoing enough to ask. From school girls at the museum, on the street, to couples walking through the park.

Stopped at the Temple of Literature which was an oasis of green and quiet in the city.

A temple dedicated to Confucius was in the center. Entrance of the temple seen below was viewed from a restaurant we went to called KOTO.  Food with a cause, as it's a non-profit organization that takes kids off the street and trains and educates them for two years in school and the hospitality industry.

KOTO stands for Know One, Teach One.

One museum I enjoyed was the Women's Museum.  Women throughout the world have sacrificed, suffered and survived war, heartache, inequality and injustice, but what was interesting to me was getting a glimpse into the many women I see on the street selling food, flowers  and every imaginable thing.
They come from the countryside, live in rooms with 10 other women and pay 35 cents a night to not waste money. Getting up at 3 am to go to get their wares for the day from the owners of the main market they then hit the streets and don't stop until they are done. The bikes are loaded and the poles they carry are heavy. Having to go home for festivals or rituals are a must and most go home every 7-14 days brig home earnings averaging $20 to help support their children and families.
With admiration I see again what women will do for their families.

A very friendly, outgoing pineapple seller.

I know I would not do very well with this.  It's heavy, awkward and I don't think I would come away with a smile still on my face after all the rejections.