Reasons I Love Hanoi

As I have been driving around the city recently, I've been making a mental checklist of the things that are truly, wonderfully Hanoi:

• Driving home late at night on my motorbike when the roads are empty and the temperature has dropped. Juxtaposed to the busy-ness of the day, it's a thrilling freedom to drive the quiet empty streets.
• Walking into bun cha smelling air-bubbles as it's being cooked before lunchtime.
  
• Looking up and realizing the streets are lined with ancient trees, peacefully rooted in the chaos.
• Being able to change the iTunes playlist at most of my favorite bars.
• Running into people I know everywhere I go.
• Stretching, bobbing women in aerobics classes en masse in the parks.
• Constant valet parking.
• The fact that none of the clothes fit me, so I never feel the desire to go shopping.