Sapa

Sorry it's been a few days for the blog. I have a good excuse. I got lost in the mountains. I am serious. I got here earlyThursday am by train and was kinda tired. So I took a nap. Which meant I missed all the guided tours for the day. The staff at the hotel told me I could go to this one ehtnic minority village with no need for a map or guide. They said if I followed the trail for 4 hours I would find xeom (moto) drivers at the other end. Well after 4 hours passed, I have never wanted to see a xeom driver so bad in my life. But I never found one. Somehow what I thought was a trail turned into nothing and couldn't find my way back. By 5:30 pm I was starting to get really worried because I knew it would be dark in an hour. I wanted to break down and cry but I knew that wouldn't help. I tried to locgically review my options. First being that I find a road with a moto driver (which didn't seem to be happening), or second that I would find someone (hadn't seen anyone since the village 5 hours before), or three find a cabin I had seen on the way and spend the night, or lastly sleep outside and find my way back during the day. Then I prayed that God would send me a guardian angel and he sent two. Because right after that I heard a young ethnic minority couple talking. They didn't really speak English but was able to communicate I needed to get back to Sapa. So they guided me back. I should say she practically dragged me down the mountain. My legs just didn't want to work anymore, it was raining and very muddy and slippery. She was about half my size, but strong as an ox. I have to say it was probably one of the scariest moments of my life, when I didn't know if I would ever get back. But I knew in the back of my heart, God would take care of me, he always has. When I got back that night I had a bath and went straight to bed, I was hungry but didn't even eat. So didn't have time to share my story online that night.

I had booked a two day trek and homestay for the Friday and Saturday. I didn't know if I would be up to it but I felt ok in the morning so I went. Have to say it was a much more enjoyable trek because I had a guide. I had booked it with two nice Aussie ladies. We all were in similar shape, not exceptionally fit but not terribly unfit either. Our guide was amazing 17 year old Ethinic Minority girl who spoke fabulous English. We had so much fun. And the family whose home we stayed at was lovely. Yesterday it was also quite rainy and wet but today it was sunny and clear and able to see the mountains. It is beautiful here. Plus the ethnic minority people are so charming. They are really fun, even though they are always trying to sell something. So it has been a good experience and I guess I have a good story to tell. Will post photos when I get back to Hanoi on Monday. Going to a market tomorrow.