Hazy Hanoi
June 2nd, 2009
Pho Tanh Ha
Hanoi, Vietnam – Arriving in Hanoi at 4:30 a.m. on the overnight train from Sapa, it’s too early to check into the hotel so I wander down Pho Tanh Ha. Dark is slowly turning light. A quiet hum pervades hours and hours before motorbikes and chaos take over the streets. All along Pho Tanh Ha, men and women sit out on the sidewalks breaking down pigs on carpets. I walk down the street and then over to the next where limes, chilies, ginger and garlic are being picked through in large flat baskets. Circling around I find myself back where I started and being summoned by an old woman to sit down and have a breakfast of noodle soup with chicken. Lime juice, chile vinegar and chile sauce all go in the clear chicken broth before I start slurping down the noodles. As I finish up I get a text message requesting my presence at the Hilton Opera Hanoi for breakfast.
Breaking Down a Pig
Limes
Tamarind, Ginger
Hanoi Vendor
Rice Noodles
View from a Noodle Shop
Pho
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