Celebration overload

My first month in Vietnam has been a whirlwind of celebrations, personal and official. Personally, I've been having mini celebrations every time I successfully navigate my way around this new and very different country. I got in a taxi by myself and they understand where I want to go--mini celebration! I found an amazing street food place that agrees with my body--mini-celebration! I found a decent cup of coffee--God Bless Vietnam, let's celebrate! You get the picture. 

Some of my handiwork.

There have also been several official celebrations since I've been here. First, there was the Mid-Autumn Festival at the end of September. The Mid-Autumn Festival is actually the second largest holiday in Vietnam after Tet. My office threw a big party at a cool spot not too far from my house, complete with amazing Vietnamese food, games for the kids, and beer for the adults. It was a lot of fun and I loved meeting my coworker's families--the kids were awesome! I was on the decorations committee. Awesome, huh?

One of my coworkers daughters. So cute!

The second celebration was Oktoberfest, Vietnam-style of course. The German Business Association and German Embassy hosted Oktoberfest at The American Club and it was as you would expect--a big frat-tastic party. My roommate and I met up with some friends who had been there a couple of hours already. Within the first 15 minutes were playing flip cup, which was quickly followed by a conga line through a mud pit (it rained really hard at the beginning of this shindig), and a beer drinking contest. I know what you're thinking. No, I didn't enter. It was for boys only. After it was over, I was glad I didn't get to participate; they drink in liters here! It was an awesome night!

Oktoberfest Hanoi-style.

The boys getting ready for
their beer drinking contest.

Crowd shot.

The last celebration, which started last Friday and ends on Sunday, is the 1,000 year anniversary of Thang Long (I mentioned this in my previous post). This week I've gone downtown to check out the festivities and it is definitely a happening party. The first night I went to check it out, I was "attempted mugged" by an old lady! One of my friends actually had her bag slashed with a knife, but thankfully they didn't get any of her stuff. After we walked around the streets for a while, we moved the party to a restaurant overlooking the scene. Tonight, my roommate and I decided to check it out again. We did a little shopping and then grabbed some amazing dinner and beers at one of the roadside places while we soaked in all the craziness happening around us. I think I saw the world's largest conga line; it put our Oktoberfest conga to shame! Hopefully the pictures can help you get a sense of the party happening in Hanoi. Sorry for the weird picture arrangement. This blog is so frustrating when it comes to arranging pictures!

View of the crowd from rooftop bar.

Turtle pagoda lit up in Hoan Kiem lake.