Seeing as it's going to be all-things-cyclo for the next couple of months I thought I should try and find out a bit more about them.
According to www.wikipedia.com, cyclos are also known as pedicabs, velotaxis, rickshaws or trishaws. Apparently they are now making a come back in big western cities where they have now be viewed as rather cool environmentally friendly transport. See below.
Anyway, here in Hanoi they are a familiar sight. In particular, it's a common to see a whole line of cyclos travelling together through the old quarter.
From my vantage point at Le Pub on Hang Be Street they seem particularly popular with South Korean and Japanese tourists. Although the percentage of sleeping passengers appears to be quite high.
I also have to admit that, on occasions, as I've watched them go by, the phrase (in Texas drawl): "ooooh eeeh looks like we got ourselves a convoy," has been uttered although I guess you really had to be there.
For us ex-pats opinions of cyclos differ. One side feels its kind of demeaning for the poor bloke that has to peddle around our ample western frames. Others, however, will tell you its all employment and they might have a point.
Still, no worries with the boys from Extreme Charity. They'll have no one to power them but themselves and I have no doubt that veteran cyclo drivers across Vietnam will chuckle heartily at their efforts.
Anyway, I thought I would leave you this picture of Vietnam, in the days when the Westerners were quite happy to make a local huff, puff and carry them around. This is the old style cyclo without the bike attachments. Not sure the boys would be happy with that arrangement.
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