Day 1 in Sa Pa: love markets, bride kidnapping, and mountains galore.

a little piece of heaven.

When I traveled with my aunt, uncle, and two younger cousins a few years back they taught me that whenever they return home they always say, "Best trip yet." Even though I haven't quite returned

new friends! (and a beautiful waterfall)

"home" (I don't even have an 'abroad' home since we are constantly on the move) I am actually saying, "Best trip yet" referring to my recent excursion to Sa Pa, and I really honestly mean it. Sa Pa was unbelievable. We arrived early Saturday morning on the train, (taking the night train was really fun and I slept surprisingly well. I liked swaying back and forth!) We checked into a wonderfully nice hotel with an incredible view of the mountains and rice terraces. After freshening up and a yummy breakfast we went to the Sa Pa tourist center to meet with some young students who are learning English in order to become tour guides. I guess now would be a good time to say that Sa Pa is probably one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. The reason being: the ethnic groups. The students that we met with were from two different ethnic groups, the Dao and the Black Hmong, although the scheduled group cultural exchange that wasn't the most interesting discussion, the one-on-one conversations that followed in the next two days were riveting. The Black Hmong and Dzao children are growing up in such a different environment than I did, and still am. For example, I am 20 years old and husband-less and childless (definitely not complaining on that one). That wouldn't really fly with my family if we were Hmong. Some of the girls I talked to had sisters my age that already had two

A few Hmong women selling clothing– notice how it is indigo
blue, many of their hands are stained blue from the dye.

children. There actually used to be a love market in Sa Pa, where single youth would go and strut their stuff and hope to find a potential life partner. Hmong people are also well known for bride kidnapping, which is pretty self-explanatory. If a young man was interested in a girl he would consult with his, not her, parents and then kidnap her. Typically the couple already have a relationship and the kidnapping is simply symbolic but in some cases the kidnapping took the form of an abduction where the girl had no idea what was coming. The groom's family still has to pay a dowry for the bride-to-be. It is all so interesting to think about. It's hard to fathom that the students I was talking to could very easily be married with kids in a few years– I have read and discussed this cultural norm in different anthropology classes but it puts it into a whole new perspective now that I have met and connected with these students.

After lunch and a little r&r we went "hiking." Hiking is in quotes because it wasn't actual hiking but we were walking uphill so I was still happy. I can't even explain how nice it was to be surrounded by mountains again; I loved it. Oh, not only were there mountains but it was also COOL. For once I wasn't sweating through my clothes. I could wear pants and feel comfortable. Hallelujah. Take me back to Sa Pa, stat. But really, I loved loved loved it there. Since it is so mountainous, the hills are all terraced to utilize the space properly and reduce runoff and erosion. I think that rice terraces are absolutely stunning– one of the most amazing sights in the world. Add the huge mountains in the background, the fog rising off them, waterfalls, water buffalo, and the beautiful people– commence the photo shoot.

The tallest mountains are hiding behind clouds.

I am trying to get back here to go hiking for a few days.

When the rice is growing the terraces are bright green. They
had just harvested the rice last month– explains the brown.

So here I am learning how to make a whistle-type noise with a
special plant. It was very difficult but I am proud to say that I suffered
though lightheadedness & successfully whistled. Boo-yah.

Well hello there Mr. Water Buffalo. <- that is something my
mom would say.

Walking down to the waterfall there were lots of vendors. Do
you even need to ask if I bought gifts...