Hellooo New Wardrobe!

I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the not-too-terrible overnight train from Hanoi to Hue. The Vietnamese have overshadowed the Thai in the overnight train department! Watch out capitalism, the commies have done something good here. There were just 4 people in the compartment, with surprisingly comfortable beds. In fact the beds where a lot better then the 'trying to be as hard as wood' mattresses I was sleeping on in Thailand and Laos. So the mattress plus a sleeping pill made the 13 hour journey quite pleasant. If it were not for the attack from the locals once I left the train station, I would say it was my easiest travel experience yet!

1 female + foreigner + no hotel reservations = PRIME target for hotel hawkers. About 20 people immediately swarmed on me when I got out of the station. I was able to shake all but 3 of them after 5 min. They must get paid commission for bringing people into the hotels, and they will not take no for an answer. When one actually hit my arm to get my attention I just had to put my foot down. That was one tap too far. Bye bye nice Hannah, welcome in American Bi-atch. It worked like a charm, but left me in the middle of no where with just a lonely planet map to guide me along. Perfect, because a good walk is what I needed to get over the sleeping pill.

Whats in Hue? Well I spent the better part of the day exploring the old citadel, and citadel within the citadel, and the citadel within the citadel within the citadel (no joke, THREE moats!). The old emperors of Vietnam used to live there. Apparently the 3 moat system was not enough to protect them from the French in the end.

The next day I caught a bus to Hoi An. Hoi An is THE place to get tailor made clothes. I was like a little girl walking though the biggest candy store ever when I was exploring the city yesterday. Culture smolture - that all fell to the way side when going through store after store where they will make a dress for your for $10! Beyond the clothing stores, I am not sure what else is in this city. Although I am sure it is interesting since it was not totally destroyed by the war. If only I can pull my eyes away from the latest in coat designs to see the old houses....

Warning...getting tailor made clothes is addicting! Before I but down some real mullah for a suit (or leather shoes!) I will see how the dress and shirts I ordered yesterday turn out. It might be all great to look at but fall apart if you actually wear it. Well if that is the case, at least the clothes will look good in my closet.

I was hoping to check out the beaches here in a few days. I got wind of the best surf spot in Vietnam, and it just happens to be on my route down to Saigon. Slight issue... there is a typhoon headed toward Vietnam. That might make for some great waves, but I don't want to be there to see it when it does!