We're all good!

Da Lat

So what do you expect from a town you've never heard about? Nothing! What you get is a wonderful surprise. Although I had done research about Southeast Asia I didn't get an exact list of all the places. I left it up to whatever suggestions I got along the way.

Da lat is a pretty nifty city. It has a huge French influence and even has a cell tower that looks like a red and white Eiffel Tower. The city is built into a hill so the roads can get very confusing. Terribly confusing if you don't know where you are going.

We arrived bright and early in the morning and grabbed a taxi to the guest house. Not even a minute into the drive the taxi driver pulls over and gets out. Oh no what's going on? Turns out the tire was flat. No joke we have had so many car, boat, buggy, and bus problems I think we are cursed. While he changed the tire we made a list of all the things that have broken while riding them.

We get to the host at 630 and the lady was wonderful. She gives us early check so we were able to lay down for a little. The sleeper bus to get to da lat was interesting. All through Vietnam they have buses called mobihomes. Basically they are lay down seats in three rows. Pretty cool and comfy unless your on the top middle row. The entire night I felt like I was going to fall out. The roads in Vietnam are pretty good but very twisty and turns. Either way they beat the heck out of cambodia's!

During breakfast a nice lady walked in and asked if we were be interesting in setting up a school? What?!? I have been so lucky with running into people who bring me into local schools. I haven't written or advertised it much but I've had the chance to visit quite a few school to study their education systems here. After exchanging some details I am not part if a ten who is setting up an English school in Da Lat!!!!

Finally it was 8 am and time to go canyoning. Canyoning involves body sliding down rapids, rappelling down rocks and waterfalls, and cliff jumping. By this time we had made some friends with people in the guesthouse during breakfast. When the van pulled up they all got in and we were informed that it was a different company than we booked. 

Awwww that stinks. Jenny and I look at each other. What do we do? Should we go with all the people we just met and are staying with. Standing in the middle of the street undecided. All the people on the van are shouting for us to dot h the other group and come with them. A panic look on our faces we make the quick decision to jump in the van. Everyone cheers and we are on our way.

I won't lie I felt pretty guilty. What's gonna happen when they turn up to our guesthouse and we aren't there. I was comforted to know that they are a huge company and get a lot of business so I didn't feel toooooo bad. In the end this is my trip and I have to go with what feels right. And hanging out with these people felt right.

In such a teacher fashion, I insisted along with another teacher than we play a name game to learn everyone's name. Our group consisted of some Germans, Canadians, Americans, Aussies, and one Dutch. These guys are fun. Not even five minutes into the ride I decided I had made the right choice by following my instincts. 

We were all fitted with gear and almost ready to start our journey. The start site had some other groups as well . I heard someone call out Elizabeth pasquale. I should have known better than to answer. It was the tour guide from the other group.

As soon as I answered he rushed over to me. He started saying how I booked with them so me and my friend had to get out of our stuff and go with him now. The entire group got silent and watched what was happening. Ummmm now what? I look to Jenny for help because somehow she's not the one the guy is talking to. Jenny casually looks and me and gives me the look of "we are staying just get rid of him." 

I ask everyone for advice. I tell the guy how I've just made a group of friends and want to spend the day with him. I insist that it has nothing to do with him or his company. It is only the fact we are staying with all these people so it would be great to do canyoning with them. 

He doesn't give up. My guide and the other guide start yelling at each other in Vietnamese. Ahhh what did I start? I feel terrible. I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings or screw anyone over. I'm happy I have Jenny because she has the attitude of "I'm paying and it's my trip I get to do what I want!"

The guy walks off and gets in the phone. I continue to tighten my straps and belt. Then he walks back over to me and puts me on the phone. No I don't walk to. I've made my decision. But I'm still feeling guilty so I take the phone. The boss on the line tells me how their company is superior and blah blah blah. This is all a lie because they all follow the same route but he tries to tell me they don't.

The rest of the group watches and urges me to just hang up. But I can't. I continue to tell him how I met people and want to be in their group. He doesn't give up so eventually I say bye and hang up the phone. I walk back to the group feeling beyond guilty. I made a commitment but I never did pay. They all tell me it's not a big deal and to just brush it off. But I can't.

The guy comes back yet again trying to usher me away. I end up on the phone.. Again! The guy at the other line wants me to pay 200000 dong (10 dollars each for the lunch they made). Are you joking! No way hose. I bargain him down and say ill give him 100000 (5 dollars for both). He agrees and sounds happy and I hang up. I hand the phone back and the guide still looks really annoyed. I tell him the deal, hand him the money, and walk away. 

I feel terrible. I know it's not that big of a deal but I don't like making people unhappy. Out of the corner of my eye I see the guy on the phone. He talks a little, nods his head, and hangs up. He sees me sulking feeling guilty. He comes over and gives me a huge hug. Then it looks me and the eye and says "don't be sad we are friends. I want you to have a great day. Have fun!!!!" I return the smile and hug and feel so much better. The guide was only worried about his boss he could clearly care less now that his boss was happy. These people just love when others are happy.

Now came the canyoning. Thrilling! We practicing on a small hill first. He showed us how to hold the rope and take steps and how to do little jumps. Easy enough! We got to the first ledge. Oh wait we are actually doing this. I mean safety seems to also be a back seat when it comes to these countries. It's nuts. I didn't even have to sign a waiver. 

I pushed the thought out of my mind, leaned back, and repelled down the cliff. This. Is. Awesome!

Addicted immediately. The rest of the day got harder and more fun. We swam under waterfalls. We floated down a little river under trees and vines. It looked like something out of a movie. We ran and jumped off cliffs. The craziest was a set of rapids that we went down head first upside down. There was one that we did on a waterfall. As you repelled down the water pummeled your face. The last five meters you had to let go of the rope and jumped backwards down into the water.

The very last one was the scariest but most fun. The way the rocks were you couldn't see a thing.all you could hear was the water gushing below. Turns out you walk down a bit, then suspend yourselves and lower yourself into a gushing waterfall before letting going and letting the water take.

Overall it was a blast and I loved every second!!!!