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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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A splitting at the seams Asha. Breakfast round two. This in fact, is a perfect depiction of my time spent in the company of the two Canadian sisters: sheer indulgence. Whether it be food, shopping, culture or comfort - we didn't do things by half... The girls then proceeded to visit the museum, the very thought of which made me yawn and so I ran around on an errand run. Got to the post office hoping to finally post those twenty odd cards that I'd taken several days to write. At $14, any such hopes flew out the window. I mean, I love my lot in the UK n all, but hey, not that much!! I did have to eat after all! After some banking and purchasing tickets, I re-met the girls to climb Phu Si. The 330 steps in the heat were arduous and seemingly un-ending though I did not regret a second of that labour once I'd reached the peak. The views were....more than I'd ever imagined I'd see. Ever. Climbed down the other side, and arrived conveniently at L'Etranger for papaya lassi to cool off. Joma sandwiches and chinese bean filled doughnuts. We picked up some lychees to snack on as we headed back to Le Cinema for a viewing of Wallace and Gromit. Unable to think of anything other procrasinating activities, it was time to go pack. Ugh. Ate a hot grilled sticky rice and egg stick whilst packing and, by some miracle, managed to successfully (okay maybe not successfully) shove every new purchase into my already bursting backpack. We decided on a farewell dinner of LP salad and fried seaweed and fish laap at a riverside restaurant. Final walk through the market, and some purchases. Obviously. Bid farewell to the girls, went to my guesthouse and prepared for bed before.. realising that I didn't have enough money to get me across the border. In need of kip, baht and dollars, I knew the girls would be my only resolve. I pulled some trousers over my pj's, got the keys, slid open the iron gate and creeped over to the girls'. Sweetpies that ...