Reunited and it feels so good... greetings from Hanoi! We arrived here late Monday night and woke up to a cool, misty morning in the city. The flowering trees are in bloom and covered with budding leaves, leaving us feeling rather enchanted.

From the first steps out our hotel door, we are immediately thrust into the contradictions between traditional Vietnam where commerce happens primarily on the sidewalks by women carrying baskets on shoulder poles, and the trimmings of a modern city of glass front fashion boutiques and fancy shops. The sea of traffic blurs past, horns are constantly honking as we tentatively make our way across the street.

It has been four years since I (Rachel) was last in Hanoi--I lived in the city in 2007-2008. So far Hanoi seems simultaneously like a familiar home and a strange new place. That is, the feeling of being here is familiar and my surroundings look vaguely recognizable, but I find myself unable to communicate in Vietnamese and feeling very lost in the maze of winding streets. Despite these mixed feelings this is very much a home coming and I have enjoyed visiting some favorite spots and introducing Lisl to Vietnam.

It is hard to believe that this is our third day in Hanoi, we have seen and eaten a lot already! The challenge is to find time to document it all. We have enjoyed several good museums, visited Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, and spent time at the MCC office. We're enrolled in a cooking class this afternoon and are excited to share that experience with you all. More pictures and updates to come!