Arriving in Heaven's Hill!
Mom celebrated her birthday here : )
In honor of 60 years...wow!
We took a "birthday hike" trying to find a waterfall. We did eventually see it, but only from a great distance : )
New mom traveling with her little one.
Target practice
Two cute little guys at their parents' boiled peanut stand.
One of the many peddlers seen in town.
Three girls walking back from school in their school uniforms.
Visiting some of my friends in town.
Three more girls on their way home from school. They are Hmong.
It's bathing time in the stream.
Haircut at a barber shop...
...and nail painting at a beauty shop.
One of the local foods popular with students. Hotdogs and sausages with a chili, lemongrass, peanut, cilantro sauce...yum!
Mom visiting my classroom for the evening : )
One of the local types of vehicles seen on the streets.
Doing laundry in the pond.
A group of friends on their way home from school (most younger students walk or bike...some have motorcycles).
Mom and I visiting my friend's house.
Some very common foods from this area...dried buffalo lung, blood, greens, sticky rice, clear soup, spicy sauce. My mom was a good sport in trying some of these : )
Some of the people seen collecting garbage along the streets.
This Vietnamese man is collecting scrap metal.
A manicure right on the sidewalk.
This is a delicious meal that is made over hot coals. A trough holds a clear broth where greens and other veggies are cooked, and the meat is grilled on top. These things are eaten with a flavorful peanut, garlic, chili type sauce.
Grandma holding one of her grandchildren who is scared of foreigners and began crying when we arrived.
Hmong embroidery work.
My mom trying sugar cane for the first time :)
My friends little niece enjoying her sugar cane.
My mom eating a meal in a Hmong home with 20 some people eating in different shifts.
My mom visiting one of the local tourist sites.
The local mini-mart for important things like toilet paper, milk, butter, oil etc. 
Shoes, bags, and skirts galore at the 3 story market. 
The meat market is not my favorite place to visit : (
Fresh noodles that are used making a delicious noodle soup common in this area. 
Dragon fruit...I like it, but it's pretty bland tasting considering what a colorful and interesting peel it has!
Some freshly killed animals ready to be bought, prepared, and eaten. 
The market sellers put in really long hours, so you'll often catch them napping during slower times. 
Silk worms eating mulberry leaves. 
Cocoons from the silk worms. 
Strands of silk being dyed in a natural process. 
Weaving with the silk to create beautiful fabric! 
