Hello From Vietnam!
Thursday January 31, 2008
I am travelling in Eastern Asia for three weeks and have to share my "beauty highlights" from this trip.
Highlight No. 1: The posh spa in Hanoi, Vietnam We were a shivering mass earlier this week in Hanoi due to China's harsh weather blowing down south. I found a posh spa -- a refuge in the middle of the hubbub -- and herded a few travelers in my group there. We had $24, 75-minute Thai and Shiatsu massages and a steam room in a serene setting. It was quite expensive for Vietnam standards, but for the Europeans among us, practically free. This service in NYC would run you about $150. One woman in our group had never had a massage or steam before. I doubt this will be her last. Massages are one of life's greatest gifts, especially when one has been blasted with loud noises, clouds of exhaust and barrelling motorcycles for 48 hours.
Highlight No. 2: Eyebrow threading in Hoi An, Vietnam My friend N. & I were wandering about this quaint town in Central Vietnam yesterday when we spotted a woman in a jewelry shop crouched on a tiny stool, threading the hair off the legs of a young woman. We were so inspired, we asked the woman if she could accommodate N's unruly brows. A quick barter ($3 U.S. was offered and we didn't refuse) and N. as sitting down for her first threading, ever. I don't think she liked it at first, but the results were fabulous. Gotta love the handicraft involved with spool of thread.
Highlight No. 3: Yes, you can find Western shampoo in Vietnam Before the trip, I was utterly harried, racing about New York trying to find a sleeping sheet ($60 at Eastern Mountain Sports), a proper day bag ($55 and up at Flight 001 in the Village) and little travel bottles ($3 at Duane Reade) for the trip. The first day we arrive in Hanoi and silk sleep sheets are everywhere for $3, North Face day bags are $7 and you can buy Pond's and Kerastase in the markets. I could have literally traveled here with nothing but underpants and gotten along marvelously. More later!
Highlight No. 1: The posh spa in Hanoi, Vietnam We were a shivering mass earlier this week in Hanoi due to China's harsh weather blowing down south. I found a posh spa -- a refuge in the middle of the hubbub -- and herded a few travelers in my group there. We had $24, 75-minute Thai and Shiatsu massages and a steam room in a serene setting. It was quite expensive for Vietnam standards, but for the Europeans among us, practically free. This service in NYC would run you about $150. One woman in our group had never had a massage or steam before. I doubt this will be her last. Massages are one of life's greatest gifts, especially when one has been blasted with loud noises, clouds of exhaust and barrelling motorcycles for 48 hours.
Highlight No. 2: Eyebrow threading in Hoi An, Vietnam My friend N. & I were wandering about this quaint town in Central Vietnam yesterday when we spotted a woman in a jewelry shop crouched on a tiny stool, threading the hair off the legs of a young woman. We were so inspired, we asked the woman if she could accommodate N's unruly brows. A quick barter ($3 U.S. was offered and we didn't refuse) and N. as sitting down for her first threading, ever. I don't think she liked it at first, but the results were fabulous. Gotta love the handicraft involved with spool of thread.
Highlight No. 3: Yes, you can find Western shampoo in Vietnam Before the trip, I was utterly harried, racing about New York trying to find a sleeping sheet ($60 at Eastern Mountain Sports), a proper day bag ($55 and up at Flight 001 in the Village) and little travel bottles ($3 at Duane Reade) for the trip. The first day we arrive in Hanoi and silk sleep sheets are everywhere for $3, North Face day bags are $7 and you can buy Pond's and Kerastase in the markets. I could have literally traveled here with nothing but underpants and gotten along marvelously. More later!
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