Hanoi, Vietnam

We all arrived safely and with our luggage today in Hanoi, about 5:00 local time. Everyone
is still in good health and good spirits, and I can tell that attention is starting to turn
toward the IMO.

Ian and I are at the TayHo Hotel, which (according to the map that Gordon Lessels,
Deputy Leader for Ireland showed me in his VN guidebook) is on the north side of the city,
next to the river. The students are at the La Thanh Hotel, a little bit south of us. Gordon
says the Leaders are in a village on the coast near Haiphong. We have air-cond in the
rooms, which is good, since it is 30 C and very humid. SO far, I can tell you that from the
road here at lease Vietnam is very, very green, and appears clean and interesting, and
does not look at all like Beijing. Everyone is friendly and at least with the IMO staff and in
the hotel, English is available. Signage is all in Vietnamese.

My reports may be short and telegraphic because the only internet access I have found
so far is at the very small, and informal business center in the lobby. I will be competing
for time with all the other leaders and observers, so will have to be quick.

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremonies concluded about two hours ago, and I am able to report that all
six students and Ian appear ready for tomorrow. The opening ceremonies were very
good, similar to opening ceremonies in previous years, but with a definite Vietnamese
cultural flavor.

All six IMOers are healthy, feeling good, and ready. Ian has spent the day with them, and
is with them again tonight. He and I will see them get seated for the first day tomorrow.
Other than that, not much to report, it was a "rest day" without any tourist activities.

Weather is quite warm, and very very humid. During the Opening Ceremonies, we had
a tropical afternoon thundershower which did not clear the air as we are used to but
instead seemed to make it more humid. However, virtually everywhere we go except
outside is air-conditioned. I asked and all the kids are in rooms with air-conditioning
and are able to sleep well. Wish us luck for tomorrow.

I've taken a lot of pitures, but will have to wait until I return, the internet connection
here is too fragile for anything more than these simple emails.