Positive

image source

Now I have spent a good deal bitching about the things in Hanoi that I'm not so keen on - but really, there are a lot of reasons to like and even love this city. In a lot of ways, Hanoi is an amplifier ike London - bad days are bad, but good days are awesome. Good days include climbing - my local gym here does in no way compare to The Arch, but getting to move my body after long hours at the office feels so good, plus the peeps you meet over there are lovely. Good days also include walking around with your eyes open to discover things like hidden temples and ornate buildings amongst the ever-present face of urban decay. Good days obviously include good food - I can never get over how amazing yet affordable the street food is in Southeast Asia, and nothing beats a steaming hot bowl of Pho to warm you up on a cold winter day. Finally, good days include good people. I spent today's afternoon in the company of my friend Sophie, and after a week in the office where conversations often revolve around work, it is so nice to be able to just kick back for a coulple of hours, get some coffee and talk life. Up next is our housemates dinner - every sunday my house tries to get together to catch up over some good food. Last week we went to one of my favourite vegetarian restaurants, tonight we're all feeling lazy so Indian take away is ticking our boxes. So while the sun refuses to shine and warm our cold feet, we still have some chili and good company to nourish the soul.