Water and Bananas

Paradise Resort

Before I left Hanoi I looked up Paradise Resort on the internet. I sent an e-mail saying that I would be arriving in 2 days by train and that I would be staying for about 2 weeks. I also asked for a train station pick up. I figured that the pick would not be free since the resort itself was so cheap ($20/night all meals included). But, I didn't know where the place was and I didn't want to deal with tricky cabbies.

I never did get a reply. When I got off the train I was assaulted by taxi drivers, motor bike taxi drivers, and, of course, people selling pineapples. Those pineapple people never sleep! But in the crowd of people asking, "Where you going?!", was a man quietly standing, as if being punished by his teacher, with a sign that read, "Josie – Paradise". What a wonderful sign to see after a 25 hour train ride.

When I got to the resort it was around 10pm. Two girls, maybe about 13 and 14 years old came out to get me. One of them couldn't talk the other told me to "shhhh. People sleep." They took me to my room and showed me around. Then the one who could talk asked me if I was hungry. "You wan wata and banana?" Sure!