Its Friday

Yeah! It is Friday! What a week! I thought it would never end. The long hours of language practice were simply exhausting and made more challenging by the sudden arrival of summer. Sudden is the word. I think summer literally fell on me. Man, it is really hot. So hot that it gets a bit hard to breathe at times. Perhaps that could be linked to wearing a tight t-shirt? Nah. The level of humidity is the cause of the stifling heat. Today's temperature hit 37-38 degrees centigrade. I never drank so much tea in a day before. I am told that it may hit higher in the coming weeks.

But the heat is made more bearable by the advent of lychees on the streets. Farmers, mostly women, beat the streets in the hope of selling their produce to passers-by. The lychees I tasted were fresh and sweet. I am told that the lychee season only lasts a month and they would be at their best next week. Cool. I am looking forward to them.

Before I arrived in Ha Noi, I was told that Vietnam is a fruit heaven. I am beginning to see why. For example, the premises of the History Museum have longan trees. The fruits are beginning to form. A few more months, I am told, before they are ready for picking. On the streets, you will see watermelons, pineapples, oranges, lychees, peaches and many of types. It is simply amazing.

Will be heading out for a cup of coffee soon. A Vietnamese friend of mine is coming by and we are going to hang out for a while at one of the old coffee houses. Night life along the streets of Ha Noi is fascinating. After's a day work, you will find many Vietnamese sitting in such cafes, having coffee or tea. Others will head to have beers or "bia".

Time for a motorcycle experience again!