We had a great Songkran festival. Derek and I took a 5
day trip to Vientiane, Laos. Because of the heavy traffic and everyone going
to all corners of Thailand, we decided to take the 50 minute flight to Laos. After
getting into Vientiane the first thing we noticed was the size of the
"international" airport. It housed about 3 airlines, and there probably no
more than 5 flights a day. The airport had 2 gates, one for arrivals, and one for
departures. We found the exchange rate quite interesting. One 1000 baht bill
for 63 1000 kip notes--a nice wad of money. We found a nice guest house, which we ended up
staying in for the 4 nights, well 3 nights... Vientiane is small, many dirt roads,
bicycles, tuk-tuks, and Not for Profit Organization Toyota land cruisers. The
tallest building is 6 floors. There is one night club that stays open later than
12.
|
 |
The second day we rented a motor bike. We took it out to see one of the great red
sunsets. We were right on the famous Mekong river, where locals were washing clothes
and frolicking in the river. |
 |
On the way back we got a flat tire, so we had to push the bike a ways. We found a
place that could fix it about 10 minutes later. Conveniently, next door was a family
get together, where they were enjoying Lao Keaw (rice whiskey). They started forcing
us to try some, which we managed to accept. Then they introduced us to this pot of
fermenting rice with a hose in the middle. They would pour a glass of water on the
top, and you would have to suck out the now alcoholic water. |
 |
It was a very
hospitable setting, they were very festive in a dancing mood. (Although you wouldn't
know it from this photo.) |
 |
The
next day we drove up north and got to see some of the country side. It was a real
eye opener seeing the difference from Laos compared to Thailand. We had some bike
troubles again, and 3 locals stopped on their bicycles to help. Well they started
the bike then invited us to their home for some rice whiskey |
 |
We
accepted and found our way down a dirt road to a little village. What little Thai we
spoke helped us to communicate in Lao to them. The languages are very similar.
We got through a few things like "What's your name" and "Is he/she/it
beautiful/good/fun". After the intros, we were invited to dance, and by this
time a few of the daughters had joined the party. Because of Songkran,
everyone began to douse everyone else with water from the well. Then some powder and
lipstick was introduced. So we danced, soaking wet, with a "Meet the
Flintstones remix" playing, and lipstick all over our faces. As the afternoon
wore on it was evident that two of the daughters were meant to befriend us. I was a
bit worried of their motive at first, but then I realized it was all about
hospitality. |
|
|
  |
We ate a
chicken for dinner, that moments before had been roaming the land. They invited us
to sleep over, so we took the opportunity, and did. We left early the next morning
after a good round of photo taking and good-byes. |
 |
Later that afternoon, we experienced another round of eating and getting wet at a
restaurant in town. After that we saw some smoke coming from the center of
town. We ran over and their was a big fire raging--right next to the film shop that
Derek had dropped off a roll of film to be developed. We took the claim slip back
the next day and their was a bit of laughter as they exclaimed that it "burned".
The rest of the trip was spent enjoying Songkran activities. Riding around in a
tuk-tuk, and getting sprayed with water every 100 feet. Over all a good trip, and
worth another visit. The people were very giving, and we felt very welcomed. |
 |
One of 2
monuments in Vientiene. I don't really know anything more, except it was hot. |
 |
SonKran
festivities. We hired this tuk-tuk to take us around to all the water throwing areas. This
is one place we stopped for a bit of water throwing fun. We invited a couple of British
Blokes to join us, who were a bit more militant about the whole idea. |