Last Day in Sa Pa - 1

Today we awoke to torrential rains. Did I say that in another post? Well, we had them again this morning. The weather cleared up by the time we headed out the door to descend to a small village called Cat Cat. This place was an interesting combination of the authentic with the make believe. The people were not imported, but the hand-crafted goods were.

We watched a silversmith pretend to ply his trade in the creation of jewelry with a torch and a fine tool. As well, a soapstone sculptor work on a piece that could never end up matching the piece that he told us it would. It is funny how all the cheap stuff comes from China, even in Vietnam. Apparently, the government encourages and facilitates the import of cheap Chinese goods into the local villages so that they can be passed of as locally made for a significant markup and benefit to the local economy.

Two nights ago we ate at one of the fancy restaurants and spent $600,000 VND so last night were were going to tone it down and kept it at about $120,000 VND ($6 USD). While we checked out menus from the street I spotted a restaurant that had a reasonably priced menu and table cloths to boot. It was only after we came in and sat down did I realize that the table cloths had not been washed since the French occupation (you may remember this pic from the phrase association). However, at that point the dining die was cast and we were ordering. Sure, I am a little OCD, but I would not even set my elbows on the table for fear of grease stains. Even Tara must close her eyes.

Yesterday, for whatever reason, I did not wear a hat on our trek down to the H'mong villages. It was only after I tried on a rough woven cotton shirt that was a size too small and was pulling it off, scraping the stubble on my head, that I felt the error of my ways. That motion set off a chain reaction of burning pain that is still throbbing with me as I type. Patti, ever the 'make the best of it person', said just be thankful you did not do that on the beach to your whole body.

I have a new appreciation for the flexibility of the moped. Seeing the wide variety of usages in China with some new twists in Vietnam. They carry anywhere from 1 to 4 people of all ages shapes and sizes, they carry lumber, glass, fruit, beer, chickens, really whatever can be carried has a home on a moped. In the mountain town of Sa Pa there are little ramps everywhere that assist one in riding mopeds where moped should probably not be ridden. This is about the most extreme example I found of that thus far.

We ate lunch at a restaurant with the most spectacular view we have ever had while eating for $13 USD. In fact we have been looking down the hill at this place from our window for the last couple of days.

See you later in the Last Day in Sa Pa - Part II post