5/16 through 5/18: Sapa and Maxwell's birthday by Robert

5/16: The night train for Sapa left Hanoi at 9:35 pm and arrived in Lao Cai on the Chinese border at 5 am. After a one hour bus ride we arrived in Sapa town.

5/17: Sapa is a lovely little town in northwest Vietnam, though not so small anymore. Development is intense. Still, in comparison to everywhere else we have been, including our first stop in the town of Hoian, it is nice and quiet here. Sapa is the home to a large number of ethnic minority groups. Due to dependence on the tourist trade, more English is spoken here than anywhere else we have been. We will spend one day here then head to the countryside for a three-day small group rural experience. I think everyone is looking forward to groups of 13, as opposed to 65. It should be a peaceful and relaxing three days apart.

street scene

View from our balcony

Also balcony view - so much development in Sapa over the years

Night view from the balcony

Our meeting spot on the 7th floor roof deck

5/18: This morning the students and adults are dividing into 5 groups, with each group spending three nights at their village. While in Seattle reports were written about the minority people we will visit. The five villages we are heading to are: Ban Ho village with the Tay people, Giang Ta Chai village with the Red Dao and H’mong people, Ta Van village with the Zay people, Nam Sai village with the Tay and Giay people, and Ta Phin with the Red Dao people. 

We will be "going dark" for the next 3 days until our return to Sapa town on 5/21.