Since I arrived in Vietnam, just as I would be doing at home, I have spent alot of time taking photos, painting, drawing and generally mulling over those lovely artistic trains of thought -

I thought I would post a blog on one particular idea.

 At home motorbikes and scooters are pretty rare - to me they represent a has-been in a mid-life crises, a so-called wide boi or if i'm lucky, some chique Italian who for some bizarre reason has made a move to Durham....or in my dreams, Jude Law.

 Here however, they are everywhere; they are a symbol of freedom and independence and chaos. These paintings (apart from illustrating just how obsessed I have become with motorbikes) are supposed to portray the importance of familial relationships in Vietnam, as well as representing the speed of development that is happening here and the desire to catch-up with the western world.

CHAO. Another art-blog to come soon...

I can't believe my time here is coming to an end!

*sob*

thought I would do a 'what I will miss about Hanoi' part 1...

1. West Lake. Morning, evening, night; I love it.

 2. the chilled out lifestyle I got going, though not as chilled as this guy... 

 3. Animals on the street, umm, though the dogs creep me out abit too.  

 (nb. discounting the rats please)

4.  The weather. Well, the sun we've had for the past few weeks has been sweet. I'm sure I will ignore all that rain we had early on.

 5. The motorbikes will never stop being fascinating...

 6. Fresh lemon juice (though I doubt my teeth'll miss it!)

7. THE PEOPLE and the night life, obviously...to be continued in part 2

Okay guys, it's official, I REALLY LIKE LIVING HERE.

For the past four days we have had these wonderful sunsets...

 and I've started to relax abit more...though maybe not as much as these people! 

Midday nap on the side of the road anyone?

oh, and it's just been halloween...halloween makes everything better!

 

  And you know what else is official? Vietnamese children are the cutest.