Greetings from Da Lat!
I’m here in Da Lat to plant seeds in a relationship (I think that’s always important) — but I spent most of this week in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Later this month, I’ll be visiting Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh, and then on to South Africa (Cape Town) before the start of December!
Hanoi is the government center of Vietnam. Fun story: I tried snapping a photo of the Department of Economics, but a policeman walked up to me, hands crossed, and said “Not Allowed” (not in English, of course). So I waited until he left, and got a nice photo of his behind (see pic).
The whole of Vietnam is a bundle of Communism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. You’ll see Soviet flags, hear Kindergarten chants, and walk around pagodas. Today is National Teachers Day, so my friend went around visiting old teachers’ homes to deliver gifts of appreciation.
Hỏa Lò Prison. This is where the French kept the Vietnamese and the Vietnamese kept the Americans. Reminded me of The Gulag Archipelago, where you hear about the unjust and inhumane tortures people endured. Being shackled in chains, rotting away in their own waste for months, before execution. Seeing it in-person evoked a visceral reaction. Terrible.
Stuff I’m Reading
Incremental Architecture. Build-as-you-go is the only option for poorer countries. Whereas in America, you’d buy a house fully completed. This article (although not totally objective), contrasts the two approaches for city-building.
Never Let Me Go. Rags to riches captivating; success stories aplenty; but what about the common folk? Like Tolstoy, Kazuo writes not for the extraordinary, but for the ordinary. The book explores the question: What does love and friendship look like in a world where everyone dies young?
Natasha’s Dance. I love reading about Russia. Beautiful country; beautiful history. My last meal before I left Seattle was pirozhki (a Russian snack). This book is on the cultural history of Russia. Recommended by Emilia Clarke, who also happens to be my celebrity crush.
Substack Chat. I will be posting more daily photos of my travels. To those who want to '“live vicariously through me” (whatever this means 🤣), please download the Substack app (iOS only) and join the conversation.
Have a wonderful week!
Leo A
"Today is National Teachers Day, so my friend went around visiting old teachers’ homes to deliver gifts of appreciation." What a lovely tradition
Is Russia one of your destinations?