Hanoi

We arrived in Hanoi an hour ago ( 8 pm ) to an oddly empty airport after a harrowing flight thru violent thunder storms. Although there were no soldiers walking around, all employees wore military style uniforms with the single gold star of the Communist Party on their shoulder epaulets. Other than our half empty flight, the place was a ghost town. The half hour ride into the city center was thru strangely dark urban streets with no lights on. Hanoi is the darkest city I have ever seen . The main boulevards were lit but most side streets were dark. No electricity ? They go to bed early ? We are staying at the Hanoi Hilton Opera, located near the old city center. We are surrounded by old French colonial buildings . Our room is western style and modern. The lobby is Huge. Tomorrow our guide meets us at 9 am . Lots of photos to come . Weather is nice, in the 70's