SaPa mud

Sa Pa
We have finally broken in our shoes, and are carrying some SaPa mud with us.
We went to SaPa to see the rice patty terraces, and get a closer look at the hilltribe minority people of VietNam. We did not know that would be watching Desperate Housewives in a bamboo hut, with a mud floor! Great American Ambassadors those housewives!
We took the night train to Lao Cai, and then an hour more in the bus to SaPa, northwest of HaNoi. We met our guide, whose name we could not even pronounce, so he gave himself the American name - Hero!
We trekked down through the hills, and villages to where we would stay with the Thay (TAY) people. Our family was actually Hero's cousin, so that was nice. Great tree house sort of thing, with lots of farm animals running around. The pig had just had piglets, so lots of snorting punctuated by the roosters who just compete for noise.
The next morning we hiked up to the Red Zhou Village, and saw their school and lots of little kids. As a teacher, the fact that little brothers and sisters, as well as chickens and ducks are allowed to roam the classrooms freely, is a little disheartening!
We rode in a jeep (probably left over from the war - or at least that's what the rust said) back to SaPa that afternoon. One van ride and the night train, and we are back in HaNoi!
And the adventures continue!...