A 90 year old dispenses some wisdom on Hanoi's streets

It was damned hot last week in Hanoi - topping 40 degrees several days running. This woman, perched on a plastic stool next to my hotel in the Old Quarter, became my daily source of hydration. I’d pick up a couple of bottles of water from her - and return to the comfort of my air conditioning. She didn’t have any such comfort though - and she’s about to turn 90. It took a while to get any conversation out of her. But on my third visit, she opened up and told me she sat there each day from 8AM to 10PM selling chewing gum, drinks and snacks. There was no self-pity in her story though. She seemed to be enjoying herself - except for the horrendous heat of course. Then she volunteered her longevity secret - "work hard and don’t eat too much" she told me. We’ve been hearing that a lot lately. And there's no arguing with this wonderful old lady’s credentials for dispensing advice on the subject.