My New Home

I moved to Ninh Binh last week and now live in a Hotel. My neighbourhood is new. It used to be a meadow, but a couple of years ago a big Volleyball stadium was built and now the area is booming. It is a combination of hotels, cafes, and homes. There are 3 hotels on my corner but none of them made it into the Lonely Planet Vietnam. We are too far from the main road where the trains and buses stop. We do not get tourists here, which has both positives and negatives. So far the place is very quiet, except for the building. This morning, being Sunday, I thought I would have a lie in but by 7:00 am the sounds of building had started. It was raining so I think that's why they started at 7 and not 6!!

I was told the land here is very high, so only the rich can live here. That is obvious by the size of the houses. The big green building going up is a restaurant, all 4 floors. I am not sure how long it takes to finish a building around here. John said the fancy outside decorations were completed first. They are working from the top floor down, so I don't think it will be long before it is open for business.

I also live behind a Pagoda. It looks well cared for but I didn't see any monks around while I took pictuers.

My room is fine. I have a bed, and a large table for my work. I also have 2 balconies, with a relaxing chair on the larger one. Because of 2 balconies, I get good ventilation, a plus here. I have cable TV with 3 channels in English, 2 news and one Disney. I also have a tiny fridge and my own bathroom. Every evening, the maid brings up a huge thermos of hot water. It stays hot all night and the whole next day. I use it to make my tea and coffee. I also have an outdoor clothes line for my washed clothes. So far everything has been drying quickly.