My new apartment!

Now, let me start off with saying that it is truly a depressing fact that I am 23 years old and this is the first apartment I have ever claimed as my own. At Connecticut College, 90% of the students lived in dormitories, and if I wasn't there, I was living at home with my family (don't get me wrong Mom, I miss you dearly). But oh! The feeling of a being an actual adult, with a lease in my name, washing my own dishes, cleaning my floors, scrubbing the toilet, such sweet freedom! Ha.
I actually didn't realize what a key area my apartment is located in until I took some time to walk around the streets searching for pillows (successful, thank goodness). To my right is Lenin Park, which is absolutely beautiful, with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum right down the block. To the left a few blocks down is Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, and the general tourist/backpacker area. When I told my Hanoian friend where my apartment was, he didn't believe me, he was under the impression that no places were for sale in this area. Guess I hit the jackpot! Well, it's on the fifth floor, with no elevator, but the stairs are small, I have high ceilings, recessed lighting, an actual mattress, and maybe the climb can act as a worthy substitute for actual exercise. Most importantly, I have a "western" shower, which was definitely the selling point for me. Most showers here consist of a shower head between the toilet and sink, meaning anything kept in the bathroom gets soaking wet every time you shower. But here, I have (gasp) a glass wall between the shower and the rest of the bathroom. I was in the shower and felt like I could splash around with no reservations for the first time ever in Vietnam.
As soon as the contract was signed and I had the place officially to myself, I set to work making it my own. I can't exactly afford any sort of decorations right now, but I have six oversized scarves that are completely useless to me due to the absurdly hot winter Hanoi is experiencing. I did some draping over the couch, over the bed, over my dresser, and boom! This place actually looks decent.
Since I just moved in, my doorbell still has its old label, which belongs to the landlady, Mrs. Cha (definitely spelt that wrong). I already had two guys ringing my bell like madmen looking for this lady and, since there is no intercom system, I have to stick my head out the window and yell down. Since my Vietnamese is not good enough to tell them that I just moved in and the bell is mislabeled, I have to run down 5 flights, try to explain again, then show them up 6 flights to the apartment above where the landlady and the cleaning lady (who actually do speak Vietnamese) usually hang. I really have to work on getting that bell changed...
On the rooftop balcony, there is a washer AND dryer (this is a very big deal...), a hammock, and wonderful views of a pagoda on one side of me, and old French Architecture Government buildings on the other. Better yet, the BEST pizza place in Hanoi (the only one with a "brick oven") is just around the corner. Granted, it's a little expensive in Vietnamese terms, but knowing I can get some serious comfort food when needed is very, well, comforting.
All that's left to do is get gas to power my stove, and then I can really start cookin'!