Once again, web mail bit me. I was just going to copy a lovely piece of mail I wrote when a glitch hit and I lost it all. I cannot write my mail in notepad and then paste it because all my Mac readers get gobbletygook!

Remember green? That lovely green that is on the color wheel but not seen in real life? It is identical to the color of a rice paddy that is 2 weeks old. The purest, most irridescent green I ever saw and it surrounds us.

Later on this afternoon, we went to a Dao or Dzao village, where they had really figured out the marketing thing. Young girls and middle aged women latched onto us and escorted us through the village, inviting us into their homes. They specifically avoided selling products to us until we got back to the jeep, so we didn't have to carry their wares with us. But what was very interesting is that they are NOT taught English in their school, only Vietnamese but these girls have learned from tourists. They actually speak and understand better than most Vietnamese students. We could have lengthy conversations with them and 2 of the girls could read English. I know this because we left lots of books in their village and came away with lots of embroidered crafts, naturally. A little income redistribution took place today. Mostly we avoid markets and shopping but I do admire it when people have figured out good marketing.

It is Saturday evening here in SaPa. And a lovely evening it is. The weather here changes SOOOOOO fast, my head spins.

Thank you, thank you, all of you for emailling. It is a real treat to find a computer and discover email from you. And Joseph: welcome to the land of technology. I am thrilled we can make contact from so far away and so instantly. Garret, you made my day. Steve, Donna, Orion, Deb, Vaughn, Jo Ann I love it that you write. I don't always write back because of the connection I have, but nonetheless, I am so happy to have contact from home.

Greetings to one and all,

Here we are in the mountains to the west and northwest of Hanoi. We arrived here 3 days ago and our first adventure was our first home stay. Mai Chau is the city that we are near, it is a small town really, not much of a city at all. A town without internet, by the way.

Xi chao!

Because internet access is spotty at best, we have done far more than I could write about since my last communication. I would like to offer some random thoughts on our Red River Delta experiences.

Xin Chao,

Here I sit in a tiny cubicle at an internet shop. There are 16 computers jammed in to a space that is 15' deep by 10' wide. The end is open to the street and every computer is in use, mostly by young men I would guess were 15-18 years old. Many are playing games, and the one right next to me is a good game player as there are many kids crowded around him watching. Plus they like watching me too. My cube is about 15" wide, but I am reduced to about 18" because my game playing neighbor is so good at reaching new levels. Plus he smokes! More than a few flies too.

Well, let me tell you all, web based email is awful! I just spent the better part of an hour composing an email and hit send and it is lost forever.

Suffice it to say we are well and near Ninh Binh in the Red River Delta. Our days are spent bicylcing, boating, and walking the rice paddies. We meet local people and talk together, answering questions about America and asking questions about their lives. People are warm and friendly and we are very much enjoying the trip.