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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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with our purchases....to the top, and gladly, made it down again without incident. No, the drama began once we'd reached the bottom when we found Sam's foot bleeding. It wouldn't have been a problem if it had been cut. But instead, he upturned his foot to find a huge, slimy black leech sucking his blood. Not quite the scene for the squeamish, Holly looked away as we figured out how to get this thing off. Pulling it would have things still stuck inside the skin, but without a lighter, that's the option we took. Or rather, he took. Once that part was done - next came the antiseptic cleaning as well as the tweezers to pull bits out of the wound. Whilst Sam was being particularly heroic about the whole episode, his girlfriend looked more than a little queasy, clearly disturbed by the whole ordeal.

Three months in SEA has me craving decent food. Indian food. I was eating at Nazim's tonight whether anyone was joining me or not. Eileen didn't need any convincing. We shared roti's, daal and aubergine curry with of course, masala chai. I cannot recall food ever having tasted so so good and to which my stomach had no objection, in its otherwise temperamental reactions. The plan was to finish dinner and shop. Flying fuckwits that hatch in monsoon season had other plans. Walked, or rather, flapped our way through the well lit, and bug filled marketplace. So much for the shopping. We escaped to 'Le Cinema', to watch Walk the Line. It was late when we arrived home and, I was locked out. Crap, I'd breached the guesthouse curfew. A rattle of the front gates ensured the cute reception guy came to my rescue! Given the time, I should have slept well. Should have.

Thursday 25 May 2006. Joma Bakery Cafe. One freshly baked mulberry pie. One very stuffed Asha. That, was breakfast round one. In walk Jenni and Eileen. 'Fancy breakfast at the Scandinavian bakery?' 'Sure, why not'. A serving of eggs and bread. ...