Nov 21st we headed out on the road bright and early for a 5 hour road trip to Cao Bang. We stopped along the way for a quick warm up and a rest. Soon the sidewalk cafe was filled with guys... all came to see the new folks in town we think. All the men around here sit on the side of the road and smoke tabacco out of water bongs. They offered me one, as a joke I think, and well to their suprise I took them up on the offer. Their reaction was great! Soon more showed up and wanted to see me do it again. It was tough on the lungs but so worth their huge smiles and laughs.
This is where the roads started to get rough. But as we have learned, the rougher the roads- the better the destination. When there is a bad road, that seems impossible to climb- yes climb, these moutnains are huge!- that means fewer whities have took the journey. Which we all know is a good thing... the kids would come running out, "Hello, Hello!", we would see smiles from everyone- the best come from ancient old men who are very shocked, but after it settles are thrilled and we get an energetic wave and smiles.
The next day we made it to Bao Lac after a 6 hour ride. Bao Lac is a very small village, very beautiful, filled with amazing flower H'mong and other tribal cultures. We got there right after the market shut down... these people have markets about every 6 days-- in different villages. They get all decked out in their full traditional tribal gear and hike who knows how many miles to these markets to buy, sell, and trade goods.
We definetley were the only white people in this town and everyone did all they could take take us in. As in, staring real hard and taking notes I'm pretty sure. In a way it's flattering, but it also very tough to sit through that day after day. We get many giggles and laughs, but we know it's just because we are different and that's ok. Def getting a feel of what it's like to be a minority...
The next couple days was filled with our journey to Meo Vac. We didn't get to cross the river liked planned, but we made it only one day later so that is ok! But damn it we tried! Meo Vac was a really beautiful village, surrounded by moutains on all sides. We stayed at an alright hotel there... but it soon became our most memorable hotel so far.
We were headed out of the hotel to get some instant noodles and somthing to fill my unhappy stomach (first time though!) and the hotel owner invited us to sit down to eat at the table with them. At the time there was only food on the table, but delicous looking food! We quickly took him up on his offer after eating only noodles and crap for the last few days on the road... Chris grabbed a bowl and chopsticks and dove right in! You should have seen the look on the man's face!! It was hilarious! I got the hint and told Chris to hold off for a sec...
Not even 5 mintues later the table was filled with meat, soup, green beans, rice, and more... and his family, 5 or 6 women had joined us too. Everynight they all sit down together for a huge feast. We see this everywhere we go. It was such an honor to be able to experience this with them. He was a little shocked at Chris' intial move to dive right in, but after the fact he was making jokes about it and we knew he understood our hunger pains!
Dinner was absolutley amazing; so special to have that time with these beautiful people, trying to communicate with the lil vietnamese we know and the lil to no english they know! We sat there, taking in all we could, very neat cutural traditions to be learned! After dinner anotehr guy joined us, who was very enthusiastic about America and iphones! We got our ipod and iphone out, showed them pictures we had on their of our families and our baby (Martini!). When the older man looked at Teen he just about fell out of his seat! I think it may have scared him a bit! haha
The new guy, Nguyen, ended up taking us outside and buying us all kinds of stuff. We were shocked, and so grateful! We tried many times to give him something back, but he would not have it. Chris got a traditional Vientamese shirt and I got a handmade purse. Pretty freakin' awesome!
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Many more stories to be told but we are sleepy now! Pics will have to do. I think they shall tell the stories just fine :)
