Cycling to Vietnam, Night Streets of Hanoi, Camping with the Homeless
Riding a bicycle to Vietnam (17), night street in Hanoi, camping with the homeless
As the night deepened, the originally bustling streets gradually became deserted, and I moved to the West Lake in Hanoi. Although the names were the same, this West Lake was not the West Lake in Hangzhou, but as Hanoi's largest lake, it enjoyed the reputation of Hanoi's most beautiful scenic area, and its status was basically equivalent to that of China's West Lake.
Although it was already late, there were still many people strolling and walking by West Lake at that time, and almost all of them were young couples accompanying each other.
Under the cover of darkness, these men and women leaned against trees or sat on chairs, expressing their affection in a bold and intimate way, and didn't care about the gazes of others, of course, the so-called others were me, because others were busy and didn't have time to worry about others.
I felt a little awkward and even felt like a single dog was attacked with ten thousand points. Unable to bear such humiliation, I had to leave this forbidden place. However, I realized a thing: I originally thought Vietnam was an economically backward and conservative country, but now I realized I was wrong, and I was completely wrong.
Time passed quickly, and because I couldn't find a place to rest, I could only ride my bicycle around the lake. This night tour of Hanoi has a unique feeling. However, in my travel experience, there is no such thing as no way out of heaven, and of course, this time was no exception.
A cluster of tents suddenly appeared before West Lake's corner. These 'tents' were actually just simple shelters made of plastic tarpaulins. It was clear that they were a gathering place for a group of homeless people. Although this place looked chaotic, most of the people living here didn't have evil intentions, because if they hadn't encountered difficulties, they wouldn't have been homeless on the street. I had lived with such people in China.
Because it was already very late, most people had already fallen asleep, except for one man who was still lingering outside the tent. Perhaps he was used to it, he didn't show much surprise when I suddenly appeared, and even nodded to me, perhaps to avoid disturbing others, the man didn't speak much.
On someone else's territory, even if I was tired, I had to get permission from a local snake. Combined with the man's friendly gesture, I quickly asked him if he could let me camp here for the night. The man smiled and said it didn't matter. At that moment, the big stone in my heart finally fell.
I quickly set up a tent, and my small voice startled several people sleeping lightly in the tents. I didn't feel very good, so I had to be more careful in every preparation before sleeping.
And at that moment, I saw the man light a cigarette and walked to the fence of West Lake, looking up at the sky with a thoughtful expression. I didn't know what he was thinking, but it was probably family, career, friendship, love, or dreams - life is full of ups and downs, and no one doesn't have a hurdle.
Lying in the tent, I didn't bother the man, but I was a little worried that I would be reported by people around me and taken to the police station for camping in the city, because I still didn't know whether foreigners could camp outdoors in Vietnam.
Foreign travel on a bicycle is a double test of mind and body.
