It is impossible to overstate the importance of the motorbike in Hanoi. While some people use buses and there are plenty of taxis on the streets, about 70% of Vietnamese get to work or home using some form of a motorbike. In the United States, there are people that have a motorbike or motorcycle or dirt bike, but for most people in America those are considered hobbies, something you ride when the weather is nice or on weekends. Rarely is that their primary mode of transportation. Unless you own a Harley Davidson dealership or you're Erik Estrada, it is not something you use for work.
In Vietnam, a motorbike is a way of life. For many people, not only is it the only way they get around, they have to use it to move everything.
Yesterday while Libby was making copies in a small shop near our apartment, I stood by the street and started taking pictures of people that were carrying things on their bike. All of the pictures below were taken from generally one spot in about a 10-minute span.
Sometimes you just see people carting around boxes of stuff:
Sometimes they are carrying people. Here are two girls going to school. Notice neither of them have a helmet on. While it is the law for adults to wear a helmet (their motorbike can confiscated by the police if they don't, or at least they can receive a fine), helmets are optional for kids:
This is an official motorbike taxi -- rates are negotiated before you get on:
Some of the people deliver big jugs of water:
And other beverages, like coke and beer (that first guy is my favorite -- loaded up with beer, smoking a cigarette, too cool for school):
Laundry:
Scaffolding:
Landscaping supplies:
A pink gas canister (??):
Tires:
Drywall:
Snack cakes:
Pipes:
Brooms and cleaning supplies:
Small appliances:
No comments:
Post a Comment