Lao Cai Market

After spending the day in Hanoi, the three of us (that would be Ingrid, Hilly and I) got picked up at the hotel by Mr Phuong, Hoai's boy firend. He got us on to the train, which left for Lao Cai at about 9:30pm. We had a four berth carriage which was almost brand new and very comfortable. It's an eight hour overnight ride, getting in to our destined location at about 5:30am. After a quick shower at the local hotel (just near our project office) we grabbed a local breakfast and then struck off in search of the market where all that food came from.



The Lao Cai market is not the same as my favourite one way down south in Rach Gia. It's a street market, running down street, around the corner and up around yet another street.



Lots of food - veg and meat a plenty. And lots of squating women wearing friendly faces to proffer up the goods.



And its a place to meet and greet. Mums looking to stock up on bamboo root, kids running around looking for toys and grandpa doing the errands.







And the sellers are friendly in Lao Cai. But I really don't think they see too many westerners cruising around - most visitors would normally hop off the train and then head straight up to Sapa. So anyway, I said hello to one of the ladies and she just started to laugh. I smiled and laughed back, but she just kept on laughing and chortling. After 20 seconds or so, it was becoming a tad disconcerting! And then I realised she was also rubbing her nose through her tears.

So my narrow (but rather cute?) nose is actually an incredibly skinny nose in this part of the world, where wide is wonderful. I think she thought it was one of the funniest features she had seen in a long time! Gives you an idea how exciting life is in Lao Cai!!



Breakfast included vegetarian pho (noodle soup) and pure mango juice. Fantastic!

Anyway, after this quick look around, the girls headed up to Sapa. I was a few hours behind them before taking the 45min trip by car up the windy road to the hilltop town.