Vientiane, Laos
Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is pretty much the first major city once you cross the Friendship bridge. And, though it’s the capital, it’s not really that big. I came to realize that the “big” cities in Laos were actually quaint little towns. Despite this though, there were a surprising number of tourists, even though it’s rainy season in Southeast Asia (I’d like to add that the intermittent rain showers in Bangkok don’t even compare to the persistent showers in the northern parts of Southeast Asia. Two to three straight days of rain, the only variable being how hard or lightly it rains!)
So, I don’t know what it is about some Western tourists in Southeast Asia that irks me. Maybe it’s the complete disregard for culture or etiquette here, so seeing shirtless men roaming the streets or women in short shorts and tank tops annoys me because none of the locals do it. That some people travel here to get drunk and wasted annoys me because I’m thinking of the locals who have to cater to it. Maybe I’m a prude! Or, maybe I’ve taken on some of the social morés of this place… Or, maybe I’m just old.
Anyway, I’m glad for having spent the last five weeks learning Thai because it actually applies to Laos! “Same Same” but different, i.e., dropped consonants or slight variations on pronunciations. But it does help when you’re trying to get around town. The food in Laos is deliciously spicy. Lots of meals include sticky rice rather than the regular stuff.
Those banana leaf packages are filled with sausage. And the deep-fried spherical things in the back there are rice balls that end up as a salad, like this:
Ah, so many variations on serving rice!
From Vientiane, a sunset view of the Mekong River, with Thailand in the background. Purty. : )
