This is just a quick photograph from yesterday afternoon. I was taking some pictures for some friends before they leave Vietnam (more on that at a later date) and this guy obviously recognized me and wanted his portrait taken. I get that a lot. Or not. It’s possible that he didn’t know who I was and that he was only drawn over by my friends’ cute kid being photographed in his shop doorway, but I seriously doubt it. I felt bad that I didn’t have a pen on me for an autograph, so I ended up just buying some sesame candy from him.
It was a beautiful afternoon with great light and there was just something about this scene that felt very Hanoi to me. I’m not even sure that I processed it at the time. He just walked out and wanted his picture taken and so I obliged. But now looking at it I can’t help but really like it. The signs, the man, the color palette and just the overall mood. Or maybe it’s my overall mood. It happens now and again. The sun is out, my back is better and the heat is weighty and oppressive. Just how I like it. So Oh! Hanoi. What’s not to love?
from swerve of shore 