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Hi guys - lack of updates: have been travelling through rural southern villages where electricity, water and telephones are a luxury, let alone internet. For now, feast on this:

"Sawadee". "Sawadee". We responded to the huge friendly smile characteristic of this region. It turns out that he is Laotian, and an epitomy of everything that is rumoured about Laotian people. Warm, friendly, highly-loveable and so laid back he'd almost fall over. Traversing and experiencing such beautiful people, one is a far cry from the familiarity of fear and unrest of the West, that it is difficult to believe the world is in certain parts, in turmoil. Ironically, the Democratic Republic of Laos is considered to be one of those countries. And for sure, it has its share of political instability, under-development and economic struggles, but, a certain flame of happiness dances in the eyes of the locals with whom I have interacted - a flame whose light is often missed in the West.

In Laos. In Love.

Asha Patel
2006-08-23 10:48:48

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/>...Checked into Hoxieng Guesthouse. Had a twin ensuite room to myself as they had no other rooms available. I certainly wasn't going to complain. Spread the soaking wet contents of my backpack to dry before stepping outside to walk off the queasy feeling of nausea that had settled during the bus ride. As synchronicity would have it, I bumped into Jenni and Eileen. We went for dinner at the marketplace, a vegetarian buffet for 5000. Not bad. Not bad at all. Fruit salad and a movie at the famous L'Etranger bookshop. The evening ended with a walk through the night market, marvelling at all the local handicrafts whilst sipping hot masala chai from a bag... Holding this hot plastic bag of chai was probably a good thing as it occupied my hands and they were unable to delve into my pockets to find my wallet. Once I'd finished the chai and discarded the bag though, my wallet soon emptied itself of its contents and by the time I'd reached home I had myself three silk scarves and two beer lao tee shirts as well as a dispensing of the remainder of my budget for Laos. Fortunately I have a best friend known as the bank...

...Back in the awful company of insomnia, I was already alive and awake for the 5am rendez-vous in the rain. The girls however, locked into their guesthouse, didn't show up so I went ahead in search of the monks. I was sleepy, wet and sliding around in the grime of the city, contemplating heading back. Then, out of nowhere, stepped a bright orange robe. And another. And another. Before too long, there was a stream of buddhist monks, out on their morning walk to collect food. They traversed gracefully, barefoot through the wet roads and the rain, food container swung over one shoulder and umbrella balanced on the other. It truly was a magnificent sight and a photographers' heaven. Walked back to the guesthouse at 6am and caught a few winks of sleep before going out again. Fortunately bumped into the girls who explained ...