Hanoi day 2

Hello again. The group met up this morning, David and Joanne from Sydney, Joergen and Birte from Denmark, Annie from Montreal and me. Our Guide is Hoang pronounced Wan. We travelled in a small minibus through the old quarter streets to the Mauseleum of Ho Chi Minh. Uncle Ho passed away in 1969 and despite his wish to be cremated they have mummified his body and keep it in a huge concrete ediface I hope his spirit has come to terms with this. This building plus a huge square in front of it has become Vietnam's equivalent of Red Square and Tianamen Square. The whole thing is contained within botanical gardens created earlier by the french who followed the chinese and preceeded the americans in failing to maintain control over this fiercely independant nation. The gardens include examples of historical family dwellings and meeting houses, and with its lakes and trees are a favourite spot for prospective brides and grooms to dress up in their (future) wedding garb and pose for photos. Also had a tour around the 'Vietnam Museum of Ethnology' which presented in great detail the history and cultures of the 54 ethnic groups in the country.
Then back to the Hotel and a short walk to a fried fish restaurant recommended by Hoang. Packed with locals, the menu was one choice - fried fish, noodles, thin gravy and mixed greens which had possibly been plucked from the nearest hedge. The fish came in very hot oil in a communal bowl balanced on a cracked and disintegrating earthenware pot full of red hot coals. The greenery was chucked on top and mixed in with the fish and oil and we helped ourselves from this onto our own bowl of noodles and gravy (I have just been told this was 'fish sauce'). It was delicious. $4 each.
The afternoon was spent being led around the streets, market and temple of the old quarter, already visited by some of us but still a great experience of the local culture. Also had a good look around the 'Temple of Literature' where a wise king established a place of learning in the 11th century. I think they were well ahead of us then.
Evening meal in 'Little Hanoi' restaurant, the same 4 (our danish friends rested having not slept well since arriving) was disappointing in that it was full (8 tables?) of damn tourists but we all chose vietnamese food and my chicken, rice and mixed salad was excellent.
The next 3 days are roughing it out in the sticks so may not find a terminal before returning to this hotel on the third night.
All the Best,
John