Trip to Sapa

Hey

I know it has been a while. Sorry for that. I have not felt like writing because I have been sick and also have not been doing anything much so I thought it would be best if I do not provide you with a boring rendition of my day or week. Not that today’s blog would be any more interesting, only that it will not be as mundane.

So what have I been up to? Socially I have not being doing much. However this weekend a friend came to visit so we went to Sa Pa. This province is in the Northwest of Vietnam, close the China border.  This area is famous for its landscape, beautiful rice terrace, and trekking. 

The trip was very adventurous. I got to see the H’Mong tribe as well as the Dao, Giay, Pho Lu, and Tay tribe.  I have been impress by the colours and dressing of many tribes, but I have to say that I was very very impress. I guess it has to do with the fact that the majority spoke English. Percentage wise I have to say a huge percentage of them spoke English when compare to the people of Hanoi. The people are beautiful.    

On our first day we spent time walking around the town and we went for a small trekking, which allowed as a view of the landscape. From there we could see majority of the town.  Shopping wise I managed to only purchase a scarf.

 

The next day while eating breakfast we met an Argentinean girl who said she was going on a 13km trekking. Since we had no plans we decided to join the trekking.  The trekking was very nice. I have not walked this distance in a long long time. I don’t recall the last time I did trekking.  I have been sick lately so I did not think I could do the whole 13km, but I did. Thank God, because you know I love to walk

On our way down I started a conversation with a H’mong women and we walked together the whole 13km together.  I was happy about this as she became my guide of the place including providing me some information about the landscape and the situation that is currently happening.  

After we got there the women ripped me off my selling me a wall hanging item for like three times the price.  I guess I could not be upset as she acted as my tour guide.  So family and friends whom I bought these items for, your better appreciates this.

My guide

The next day we decided to go to Bac Ha to check out the ethnic minority market. I will write about that in the next blog.

Hanoi women's market

Hi, I have not written in a while. Reason being is that I have been sick lately, which meant that I would go to sleep as soon as I got home.  My health is better now, I hope it last. 

So what has been going on with me? Hmm? Well I have to say things are starting to get interesting. Work wise, it has been alright, I am a bit frustrated about the misunderstanding about the role as a M&E advisor, and what this means.  The misconception is that some people believe it is about monitoring them as project managers while it is actually the monitoring and evaluation of their project.  I understand it is a thin line, but this thin line can be hell at times. 

I promise myself that I will not write about my work on my blog, but I am frustrated, so this is the most I will write about my work. 

Socially, I have been okay on the going out front. Actually I have been staying in a lot because I have been sick, but last week I had enough and actually went out.  On Friday, I went home early to sleep as I was not feeling well. On Saturday I went to Ho Chi Minh mausoleum to see Ho Chi Minh as he has now returned from Russia. By the time I got there it was close.  Later on in the day I took a walk around my neighbourhood and I finally found the market.  All this time I was going to a market elsewhere. 

Food and other goods were so cheap that I could not believe my eyes.  I came home and went right to sleep. 

Later on I met up with Folly and a few other guys that I had met earlier when I first arrived in Hanoi.  It was nice be out of my house and also have real conversation. 

Now the conversation was a bit interesting.  There was a guy name Matt who was the most argumentative and stood for everything that I do not believe in. The last straw was when he said that he get his news from CNN. Hmm, well after that I realized that this conversation was not going anywhere.

The following day along with a few friends we went to a women’s market which was being held my women groups in Hanoi. The market consisted of also a taste of food from different countries.  The food there as grate, at least the ones that I tired. There was a fashion show and acts. For me my favorite of all was the fashion show, I now have two things that I would like to sew.