Sapa is located about 250 miles northwest of Hanoi and it takes about 9 hours by train. Yes, that’s how slowly the trains run in Vietnam. At first, I thought the train was going slowly because it was still within the city, but it never picked up speed the whole way through. It was nothing like the smooth & super fast Shinkansen ride in Japan; it creaked and groaned the whole way. At least we went on a night train in a sleeping cabin just for two; other cabins sleep 4 to 6. We left around 9PM in the evening and got there around 6AM the next morning.
The scene of Bac Ha’s Sunday traditional market – ethnic minority women of Flower H’Mong came out in traditional clothes. They were trading live stocks and selling handicrafts. To get to this place we had to go on a two hour van ride through very bumpy and dusty roads. We questioned if it was worth it, but since it's open only on Sundays, we didn't want to miss it.
Instead of “mooing”, I swear the water buffalos here seemed to cry “pho~”. One near our hotel in Sapa kept us awake one night “pho~ing” all night long.
Being up in high altitude, their skin looked rather harsh for their age. When I told them my age, they didn't believe it.
As a part of the tour, we visited the house of a local ethnic minority. We saw only men (rice has already been harvested) and children in the homes; the women are out trying to earn some money from the tourists. The living conditions were primitive, lacking in everything except the satellite dish and a small TV. The people seemed content with their daily lives. The guide told us that they lived day to day – a good lesson for all of us.
The living conditions inside their house. Imagine trying to remodel this kitchen (Joan & Steve?, Mike & Connie?). I would think that's a tall order even for Joanne.
Sapa is located about 250 miles northwest of Hanoi and it takes about 9 hours by train. Yes, that’s how slowly the trains run in Vietnam. At first, I thought the train was going slowly because it was still within the city, but it never picked up speed the whole way through. It was nothing like the smooth & super fast Shinkansen ride in Japan; it creaked and groaned the whole way. At least we went on a night train in a sleeping cabin just for two; other cabins sleep 4 to 6. We left around 9PM in the evening and got there around 6AM the next morning.
The scene of Bac Ha’s Sunday traditional market – ethnic minority women of Flower H’Mong came out in traditional clothes. They were trading live stocks and selling handicrafts. To get to this place we had to go on a two hour van ride through very bumpy and dusty roads. We questioned if it was worth it, but since it's open only on Sundays, we didn't want to miss it.
Instead of “mooing”, I swear the water buffalos here seemed to cry “pho~”. One near our hotel in Sapa kept us awake one night “pho~ing” all night long.
Being up in high altitude, their skin looked rather harsh for their age. When I told them my age, they didn't believe it.
As a part of the tour, we visited the house of a local ethnic minority. We saw only men (rice has already been harvested) and children in the homes; the women are out trying to earn some money from the tourists. The living conditions were primitive, lacking in everything except the satellite dish and a small TV. The people seemed content with their daily lives. The guide told us that they lived day to day – a good lesson for all of us.
The living conditions inside their house. Imagine trying to remodel this kitchen (Joan & Steve?, Mike & Connie?). I would think that's a tall order even for Joanne.
1 comment:
"pho~" :)
Post a Comment