![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/files\/2012\/10\/DaLat-300x65.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLast week was full of heavy rain, copious amounts of schoolwork, and bouts of moderate homesickness.\u00a0 I was stir crazy and waiting for a weekend excursion to Da Lat City.\u00a0 Da Lat is located in Vietnam\u2019s southern section of the Central Highlands.\u00a0 The weather is cool year round, which was a much-needed break from the sweltering heat of the city.\u00a0 The mist-covered valleys in Da Lat coin its name \u201cCity of eternal spring.\u201d\u00a0 Its mountain landscapes make it the perfect destination for the \u201coutdoor adventurer.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Getting to Da Lat was no smooth ride.\u00a0 Our group of eight took an overnight bus on Thursday.\u00a0 We rocked and sped our way down narrow and bumpy roads.\u00a0 Kate, from Boston College, even said, \u201cThere were times I felt as though the bus was only on two wheels.\u201d\u00a0 Another classmate, who shall remain unnamed, may or may not have fallen off of the back seats at approximately 3am.\u00a0 I even admit to motion sickness.\u00a0 Sleep was impossible, so at 6am we arrived at the Da Lat bus station exhausted.\u00a0\u00a0 We made our way to the \u201cPink House\u201d hotel, dropped off our bags, and didn\u2019t return again until 5pm.<\/p>\n
On our day of exhaustion we took a cable car to a monastery in the city.\u00a0 It was a hot tourist destination, but it was so beautiful I didn\u2019t care.\u00a0 Ariana and I hiked down to the lake, with minimal tourism, and even bought a few gifts for friends and family.\u00a0 (If I told you what it was I would ruin it, so I will move on)\u00a0 When we returned to the hotel we climbed a million stairs to the room and I passed out cold on my bed.\u00a0 Will tried to ask how my day was, but I didn\u2019t even hear him.\u00a0 When I woke up it was dark and I was still in a trance of fatigue.\u00a0 We had dinner, desert, and briefly explored the city.<\/p>\n Saturday was the best full day I have had in Vietnam.\u00a0 I was captivated by everything and I was drowned by life moments.\u00a0 Saturday, the girls and I took a full day hiking trip to Lang Biang Mountain.\u00a0 After long showers and a quick rest, we ate dinner and joined the festivities at the Da Lat night market.\u00a0 After the night market, we grabbed desert and sat together for about two hours.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t be able to put this entire day into words if I tried but I will share with you all of my highlights:<\/p>\n -quiet and cool air of Da Lat<\/p>\n -wild horses<\/p>\n -taking the trail less traveled<\/p>\n -waving at Asian tourists as they rode jeeps up the mountain<\/p>\n -beautiful bright red clay soil<\/p>\n -chirping birds, colorful butterflies, and bright green lizards<\/p>\n -the perfect way to get to know someone is on a hike, cheers to making new friends<\/p>\n -me \u201cI can\u2019t believe there aren\u2019t many people\u201d kate \u201cexcept for ax murders\u201d<\/p>\n -muddy shoes and no broken bones<\/p>\n -climbing up 800 m. of only stairs to get to the peak<\/p>\n -back sweat<\/p>\n -eating a lunch of Ritz, peanut butter, Pringles, Oreos, and wine at the mountain peak<\/p>\n -a man making a phone call on the mountain peak<\/p>\n -I was afraid of falling down the stairs and Ariana says \u201cJust stay low to the ground, if it looks slick, don\u2019t be afraid to get those hands dirty\u201d\u00a0 I still fell, but it was nice encouragement<\/p>\n -we only spent $4 USD that day<\/p>\n -strawberry jam!<\/p>\n -rollerblades are a thing in Da Lat<\/p>\n -SO MANY CHILDREN<\/p>\n -Ashley made her first bargain at the market<\/p>\n -eating curry with ginger<\/p>\n -discussing the presidential election<\/p>\n -we were the only customers in the restaurant for dessert<\/p>\n -learning what the words to Gangam Stlye are in English<\/p>\n We leave for Cambodia this week.\u00a0 Tuesday night we will make cookies for the children at an orphanage in Phnom Penh and watch the Killing Fields<\/em>. Then on Wednesday morning we will make our way west.\u00a0 Cambodia\u2019s story is wrought with beauty as well as tragedy.\u00a0 I am on the edge of my seat for what is in store.<\/p>\n Xin Chao,<\/p>\n Stephanie<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Last week was full of heavy rain, copious amounts of schoolwork, and bouts of moderate homesickness.\u00a0 I was stir crazy and waiting for a weekend excursion to Da Lat City.\u00a0 Da Lat is located in Vietnam\u2019s southern section of the Central Highlands.\u00a0 The weather is cool year round, which was a much-needed break from the … <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/files\/2012\/10\/D1-300x168.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/files\/2012\/10\/D10-300x168.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/files\/2012\/10\/D9-168x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/files\/2012\/10\/D8-300x168.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/files\/2012\/10\/D7-300x168.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/files\/2012\/10\/DSC01293-168x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/files\/2012\/10\/DSC01324-300x168.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/files\/2012\/10\/D4-168x300.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/files\/2012\/10\/D5-150x150.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/files\/2012\/10\/DSC01339-168x300.jpg\")