Monday, 2/25/2008

I'm actually writing this on Tues 2/26, but only because I was too tired to write last night after a really busy day!

Although the weather was cooler, we opted to go out to one of the scenic spots on "the list" that J1 had compiled of places to go (and what to eat, where). T H T is an area of beautiful waterfalls and great caves. We thought that the waterfalls would be larger, since there had just been rain, but they were actually significantly smaller....which allowed us to see how the falls (and later we saw the cave formations) were "enhanced" by people there (walls built up to extend the area of the falls, water control, glitter on the formations in the caves, and possible even formations made!). No less, it was amazing, and a beautiful site to see.

One of the highlights (for me) was the freezing cold boat rides we took up the river, which went by one of the minority villages on the river. I took lots of photos, but I'm sure it does not give credence to the sites we saw there....old houses, ladies washing clothes along the river, water buffalo on every turn, school children pointing at us and yelling "lao wai" (foreigner), while others waved or hid from us!

The young woman who gave the cave tour to us did a great job of communicating to J1, and then she would turn and give us a brief synopsis of what the guide said. Between the tour facts, J1 learned a bit about her (and she, of J1), and by the end of the tour they were exchanging cell numbers. J1 said that occasionally they will meet locals that want to have their numbers and "be their friend", although they don't always give it out unless there is a sincerity on the part of the people. Sometimes they are not sure of the motives of the people, and sometimes it's just plain creepy...like a man on the bus who stalked them by phone for a while. The guide, going by the name Seven, seemed to genuinely hit it off with J1, and goes to college to study nursing a bit away from there. Keep her in mind.

I thought that Mark would likely say that his favorite part was the LONG zip line that he had J2 took at the end of the day....but he didn't....he said he couldn't choose a favorite part. I'm sure he's saving it for later....

:)

Today it's extremely cold again, and although I slept in and missed it, the others said that there had already been snow showers and sleet coming down. When I look out the window all seems well, it's still cloudy (always cloudy?) and muddy down the streets, although the parts that are pavement look like they had been wet earlier. The clearest sign that it's so much colder outside is that there is so much condensation on the windows inside.

We'll run out for a quick, light lunch ("G burritos" a common local food, that just happens to look like a burrito) and meet up with friends later for a big dinner, and then games tonight back at the house.

Updating pictures....so check there too!

~marina