Space Mapping: Tuệ Tĩnh - Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm

We went to Tuệ Tĩnh and Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm streets to map the space yesterday afternoon. It was a rainy day so the heat did not bother our group much. It took us about 3 hours to finish all the tasks, and we had an interesting 3-hour tour round the streets.

It was easy to find most of the things we needed as we walked along Tuệ Tĩnh street. Things like prepaid phone cards, a tree to sit under, trà đá, sinh tố and phở were available everywhere. As if they had been waiting for us for hours to come and put them on the map, we did not have to try hard. People there were kind and tried to help us even when some of them seemed not so sure about their answers. We asked around a lot to make sure we get correct information. The most trustworthy source was the "xe ôm" drivers at the corner of Tuệ Tĩnh and Mai Hắc Đế. Our tasks were much easier thanks to them, they even offered me partnership when they thought I was a tour guide. =D haha

I have been to this place sometimes before, on my motorbike. But this time everything seemed  a bit different when I spent time looking and walking around with slower pace. There have been more shops, restaurants and buildings, less shoeshine boys, key makers and knife sharpeners. That is how Hanoi putting on new clothes. Like it or not, that's the way it is and people are adjusting themselves to the new Hanoi. But I could not keep myself from feeling a bit sad when imagining about one day when no more ambulant sellers or trà đá can be seen along Hanoi streets..

It was mainly Lan who was in charge of asking people around for needed things on the list and how to get them. She could communicate with other people and speak Vietnamese really well. We talked a lot along the way and I loved talking with Lan in Vietnamese, that was so cute! Jeremy was especially good at reading numbers in Vietnamese ^^ It was great to see him keep practicing writing and pronouncing Vietnamese. I know Jeremy will be able to master the language soon!

After walking and looking for a while, we had bánh cuốn for dinner. It was yummy! Jeremy tried it for the first time and he liked it. So did Lan and I. We headed back to Hanu after spending a good time together! It's time to get the map ready! =)