Home » Laos » 'Friends', Row-men, Countryfolk

I know, it's an awful title. Another very long one - but I guess you're used to this with me by now. I was contemplating making a new entry just for the hill-tribe trek, but thought I'd add it to this blog, hence the length. I've sort of drowned you in photos this time too. Everyone seems to like these blog photos, and with connections quite good out here, I'm sure you don't mind a little photo-drowning. Think of them as a gift for reading my blog. Of course, you could just scroll down and ignore the blog, but I know you wouldn't do that...would you? :)

'Friends', Row-men, Countryfolk

Simon Wadsworth
2006-09-04 15:21:34

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I know, it's an awful title. Another very long one - but I guess you're used to this with me by now. I was contemplating making a new entry just for the hill-tribe trek, but thought I'd add it to this blog, hence the length. I've sort of drowned you in photos this time too. Everyone seems to like these blog photos, and with connections quite good out here, I'm sure you don't mind a little photo-drowning. Think of them as a gift for reading my blog. Of course, you could just scroll down and ignore the blog, but I know you wouldn't do that...would you? :)

How would I describe Vang Vieng? A miniature, wild-west version of Khoa San Road would come close (and some joker even named the main street by this name). As would a giant building site, at present too. Many people loathe this place, and it's true that if you want to see the true cultural Laos, you don't come to Vang Vieng. There is a non-backpacker 'original' just down the road, but the town is rarely visited or even known by travellers. What we're expected to see is a couple of streets where every
building is either a tour operator, restaurant/bar or guesthouse, or sometimes all 3.

The first thing practically everyone notices when they walk down the street on arrival is 'Friends', and we're not talking past acquaintances here, we're talking Ross, Rachel, Joey, Chandler, Monica and Phoebe, everyone's favourite group of people...or not. I admit to being partial to a few episodes, and often made excuses to having breakfast or a fruit shake just so I could watch some, sometimes unseen, episodes. Afterall, 'Friends' is one of the two things I've heard Vang Vieng spoken about through the grapevine, and I have been secretly looking forward to coming here - consider TV comedies a taste of home that I miss, along with white chocolate chip cookies and cheese. But when nearly every restaurant is playing all 10 series ...