spur of the moment tour

the longest single-string cable car system (5.042 km) with the biggest height gap (1.29 km) between its departure and arrival stations

what happens when you go on a tour unprepared? you get lost or you go hungry or both. how about getting starved and stuck at the same time not to mention almost getting wet with the heavy rains as well?

we visited this nearby mountain resort and arrived there at about 5 pm. it was an idea thought of and finalized right after lunch that day. the plan was to stay around for only 2 hours. but when we arrived, we found out that the cable car was only scheduled to go up at 630 and the next trip coming down would be at 9 pm. still we got our tickets thinking we could while away the time at the top by having dinner.

there were only 2 groups of us going to the top. the cable ride was for about 24 minutes. it was already dark and this was to my favor because i have fear of heights. we reached our destination without seeing a thing. it already started to rain. it was also windy.

there were no restaurants and no vendors in the station. we were also told that there would be no cabs coming back to transport passengers to the hotels. this i found out through this one and only english speaking vietnamese in the other group. his family migrated to the USA when he was 4. he was merely visiting around for a few weeks. i was surprised when he asked if i am catholic. he and his family are.

it was getting cold and we were getting hungry. the vietnamese entourage started setting up food. they have brought stuff with them. we were hoping for an invitation. and indeed, my new friend asked me if we could join them since there were more than enough food for all of us.

we sat on the floor. there was a portable stove. cooked rice noodles, curried meat, fresh herbs, flour wraps, jerky and dried squid.

sausage like meat wrapped in guava leaf and then in banana leaves

they prayed as we started the meal. and so we learned that they're all catholic.

it always feels good to be the subject of hospitality and generosity. but i feel better if not great when i know that the giver has the same faith as mine.

God always provides for our needs and sometimes in the most unexpected ways and places. our dinner that night was ordinary and might have seemed typical to the local group, but for me it was quite a treat. the rains brought down a real blessing.