Recap. Nice hotel, bank Holiday, pot noodle.
The Pot Noodle was in fact a Spag Bol, that tasted great.
However, all was not well and there were rumblings in the tummy. Followed by a dash to the loo. I presume the cabbage salad had caused trouble at one end and the Spag Bol was having none of it either. It was a rough, painful night.
The next morning the vomiting had stopped. I asked reception if I could stay another day, they agreed. I cancelled the hotel I had booked for that night and I made myself go for a walk.
As expected there wasn’t much open, but Aha Coffee shop was. As I walked out a voice said “Hello”. I turned to see a guy and his children sat at the incredibly tiny seats they use here. “Please join us”. Mau Pham lives in Hanoi but is in Son La for the Lunar New Year. It was a lovely chat with him, his son, daughter and neice. He told me there would be a celebration in the square later that night. “I’ll be there”, I said, hoping I may actually feel well enough.
And so it was after a shower, snooze and more ‘movements’ I made my way to the town square. There’s a huge monument to Uncle Ho and tonight it was adorned with flowers and became a stage for dancers and singers, all supported by a huge crowd. Again I drew attention and there was lots of hand shaking, selfie with complete strangers and impromptu Google conversations. At midnight the dancing stopped and fireworks began.
The next morning Son La was a ghost town. It remained that way all day. May Pham contacted me to wish me a Happy New Year and offered help with getting my phone credit sorted. On advice I decided to stay another day. The rest was welcome and another trip to reception secured my room.
Son La has more coffee shops than even I need. However today’s choice had an amazing looking fruit smoothie.
I walked back to the Square to see it in daylight.
I was again asked for several photos with women in traditional clothing. Stupidly I didn’t ask them to use my camera as well.
I’m out of here tomorrow as the sun is forecast to make an appearance
Earth, Wind and Tyres 