It’s been raining almost solid since we arrived this morning and I took a sweet hike down to Cat Cat Village. I bought a good dark green rain poncho from a shop next door to Mountain View Hotel where we are staying. It was not enough to keep me dry though. It was raining wolves and snakes. The hike starts out going down the road. After a half mile or so you break off from the main road and start down a stone pathway. The scenery kicks butt but the torrential rain made the hike. At one point there were some stairs and the water was pouring down them like a man-made stream. Black H’mong villagers, who are the main hawkers in Sa Pa, live down there and under shelters along the way they were sewing the colorful clothing and bags that they sell. I’ll describe some of the local village tribes later. Of course, once I put pictures up there won’t be much need to describe them. I was glad I walked down there without a guide because a guide is totally unnecessary unless you want to learn history or culture. Basically, once you get all the way down to the river at bottom of the valley, there is a high path and a low path. I think most people, especially the tourists with their guides, take the low path but I of course took the high road and it was well worth it. It was funny to find a lone boy sitting under a tarp shelter towards the top selling soda and water. You find that everywhere here. I didn’t buy anything but I felt bad later because he was alone so I started back up but there were other people there by that time so I figured he was fine. The stone path goes through the terraced farms and houses they live in. I encountered a large water buffalo along the way who decided to block the path for a bit. A little later I had to let a small herd of goats and their shepherd pass. During my walk a moto driver kept asking me if I wanted a ride at least back up but it was in good humor. Instead, I fired my own pistons and booked back up the road to get some much needed exercise.
Before my jaunt to Cat Cat, I had maybe the best breakfast I’ve ever had, a place called Friendly Restaurant. It was simple: eggs, bread (the hoagie kind I mentioned before), chips (french fries, which are not uncommon up here because they have potatos), and an onion, green pepper, mushroom mix bursting with flavor.
I didn’t think there would be Internet here but it’s probably the best I’ve used so far. The weather is much cooler and nicer here but a ton of rain. Anyway, we’re leaving on a 3-day trek through the traditional very uninfluenced tribes tomorrow so I’m stoked for that!
The ritzy place in Montana would be Big Sky…imagine that??!!! Glad you got your camera fixed…Karla’s coming with me to Boring. Love you, Mom
Cynde Mom | April 9th, 2007 at 3:43 pm |I knew it was Big Sky but I think there’s another qualifier, like Big Sky [Something]. Cool beans regarding Karla coming with you. As much as I love it over here, I do look forward to being in the U.S. again. I can’t believe I’ve only been here for 2 1/2 weeks, it honestly feels like I’ve been here for months because I’ve done and seen so much. Cambodia seems ages ago. I could perhaps live where we stayed last night on our trek though. It was as nice an area you could find in the world I think. Beautiful scenery, beautiful farm landscape, and a beautiful swimming hole and waterfall only 10 minutes away by foot.
admin | April 9th, 2007 at 3:44 pm |