Huê Weather and Traffic

Yuck!  I wish it were not, but the weather is totally normal in Huê, which is to say cold and misty, with occasional rain.  Though I have a rain cover for my camera equipment, the heavy overcast isn’t ideal for taking good pictures.  An old friend is back home for now, so I have been able to borrow his motorbike (and rain suit) for most of the time I’m here

But, its time to quit kvetching.

Dawn came in bleary, forecasting another day of mist and rain.   Việt Nam awakes early, and even at 6 AM, the streets are busy and noisy.  I had a full day scheduled of seeing old friends and former students.  An important part of the Vietnamese culture is the giving of small presents to friends after an absence.  The Mystery Guest Blogger and our former teammate Miss July sent along a lot of gifts, and I’m in the process of  giving them out.  It’s a nice duty.  But it has not been nice to see my friend Cu confined to his bed at home.  Despite quitting smoking, the headaches continue.  We’ve decided to just be two old men and sit around and gossip all day.

(Be sure to click on each photo to see a larger version.)

It was rush hour when I left his home, which is inside The Citadel.  Think of Huê as being two cities – the old city inside the eight-feet thick walls of the Citadel, and the new city, started by the French on the other side of the Perfume River.  As folks drove home from work, the streets were still damp from an earlier rain, which is why the lady has on her green rain suit.  The gate is one of eight into The Citadel, which can be thought of as a “gated community.”

As the economy of Việt Nam develops, more people can afford to buy motorbikes and automobiles.  Most bicycles are ridden by kids too young to ride a motorbike.  Notice the girl is bundled up against the cold.  It seems strange to think of 65 degrees as cold, but coupled with the very high humidity, the air feels raw.  She is riding by six large ceremonial cannon that once guarded kings, while the old royal flag tower looms behind her.

Back on the other side of the river, near my hotel, is an intersection I call Five Points, so called because of the same name for a five street intersection in a city where I used to live.  Its near the university and is clogged with young people.  Why the mask on the young lady?  She, like others, thinks the mask will block some of the air pollution.

Traffic is chaotic in Việt Nam.  A rapidly developing economy combined with an very young population makes it seem as though the streets are full of sixteen year olds.  Visitors are advised to ride bicycles for awhile before renting a motorbike.

But hey – its fun!

Comments

[MGB]

It makes me homesick to see the pictures. The last one I know you took by the 'tree that the street was built around' which leads to the best cin to in Hue. But with the weather like this, I know you have been consuming many cà phê sữa nóng instead of cin to's.

But where, my love, were you when you took the picture of the sun coming up over the (relatively) new Imperial Hotel?

Have a coffee for me, or a cup of trà gừng, and give Thanh and Vi another hug from me.

xoxo - G

[Ellen]

Hi Doug,

You mention that the girl on the bike is bundled up. I see that. I also see that she's wearing sandals and no socks! Brrr. It makes me cold to look at her.

Hope your trip will be wonderful despite the weather!

Ellen

[Tom Murray]

Doug,

I remember once back in 1969 that I was just freezing in Hue. I searched for a liner for my jacket and sweaters to put on, anything to keep warm. I finally found out that it was 68 degrees. I can get very cold in Hue with relatively high temperatures.

Tom