Sounds like you had a much better time in Hagiang than up in the mountains, and the people seem a bit more decent, too.

I wonder if that's because these people have had a bit more experience with foreigners, and have learned a bit about how to associate with us.

p.s. Don't ever expect a cop to believe your lie about having an international license. Unless your lie comes with a convincing bit of baksheesh, of course.