Hanoi: Day 3

Today, we decided to visit the Temple of Literature.   Bob surprised me by wearing a short sleeved shirt,  as it was much hotter today. I couldn't believe he was wearing a long sleeved shirt yesterday, but apparently, even he thought 33 degrees today was a trifle warm. We stepped into the street, Gia Ngu , which, by Aussie standards is very grotty,

but by the standard of the Old Quarter, is quite acceptable, and certainly a step up from the location of my previous hotel, which was a great place to stay but was in a little alley.

 Anyway, we made our way along Hang Gai, which turns into Hang Bong, navigated the incredible intersection crossings to  get into Cua Nam, crossed the railway track that also serves as a road, clothes drying area, cupboard and thoroughfare into Nguyen Khuyen, and then into Van Mien.  Bob was quite excited about the very industrial nature of the goods being sold the further we got away from the hotel.  I fancy he thinks a few knives, mincers, power voltage regulators would be an asset to his expanding collection of tools back home.  He also loves the houses that look like they were watered too much and grew and grew:

 

I love the little vignettes of life you get when you walk. Today, a couple were burning paper money outside their shop.

 It would never happen in Melbourne. Neither would this:

 

Or this:

This little kid was trying out a motorbike for style.  That would happen in Melbourne!

The Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university and a temple of Confucious, showed that it has not lost its past links with academia  by hosting the graduation ceremonies of lots of beautifully dressed youngsters.

 My, those girls know how to pose!  I think I need to practice my own skills at posing in the mirror. 

Some younger students were participating in a religious celebration, so we were witness to lots of bell gonging, prayers, and incense. It wasn't as peaceful therefore as we would have hoped.  There were also a few professional photographers focussing on very glamorous models and the crowds kept interfering with their shots.. ....okay, it was mainly me and my vagueness interfering.

We enjoyed switching our attention between the architecture,

 the gardening

 the details

 the merchandising

  the behind scenes

 the religion

 the rooftops

 

 thewoodwork:

 

and the statues:

Then, it was off to look into some shops on the way back.  Climbing up to the workshop on the top floor, we discovered that Indigo Store offers classes in indigo dyeing and I am trying to talk Bob into giving it a go with me.  Don't you think he'd find this fascinating?

He seemed more interested in smooching up to a mangy looking kitten, in spite of all the warnings about rabies, but maybe he'll change!

 We were also fortunate enough to discover Mai Huy Ding in the nearby Nguyen Art Gallery.  Both Bob and I love his style.  Check him out on www.maihuydung.com .  The manager at the gallery kindly gave us one of his brochures, so now we can browse through his other works at our leisure.

On the way home, I searched for colour and pattern ad discovered this wonderful bat

this floral wreath

These mask baskets

 This doorway

Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!