Memories from Sapa

So I finally was able to post the pictures of Sapa and some of Hoi An. Starting with Sapa, it was only 2 days, one homestay but I'm starting to think it made a huge difference in my way of seeing things. I don't know how this is possible but I erased or lost a picture I had taken of a little girl running down the mountain with a basket full of tree branches in it. She was running not like some girls run for fun, she was running in zigzags down the mountain in mud boots. The logs were probably much too heavy for her so I think that's why she was running, to make it easier. It literally put tears to my eyes seeing this and even if I lost that picture it is deep in my memory. The children in these villages play a big part, they either work or are left to themselves. The children that I've taken pictures of and children without supervision. I don't want to be judgemental but just trying to make a picture of what I saw, which is so very different than what I'm use to. The 3 children at the home we ate and slept at are some of the fortunate ones who can go to school and they weren't dirty like so many other I've seen. Most young girls work selling on the street in their hilltribe clothing, they speak quite good English and their usual sentenses are "Buy from me, buy from me!" "Where you from?" "How old are you?" "What's your name?" "Do you have brothers and sisters?" "Younger or older?". It can be overwhelming and I do not kid you when I say these sentences we hear many many many times. Yet, these little girls are so sweet and I couldn't help but feel sorry for them. Also, in a way, it was comforting to see them together and having what seemed to be great friendships with the other little girls in the same situation as them.

Now I am in Hoi An in a great hotel which was recommended by a Canadian I met in Halong Bay. The town is great, the people are more friendly than Hanoi and the temperature is warmer but now it is raining, a lot!

I am at a point in my trip that I need a peaceful night doing some cocooning so tonight, is the night!

Again, thanks for the comments and emails, I enjoy reading them.