The Laotian people are very beautiful in contrast to us Farang. They seem so petite and elegant as opposed to our largeness and fair skins. It makes one feel clumsy just walking around. The Laotian's like Farang and not just because the tourism provides them with a living, they really seem curious to learn about us as individuals.
Our waiter told us his salary is $25 /month. He's a student and studies during the day, working at night. He gets 2 days off a month.
Many youth join temples as apprentice monks so that they can get an education. Otherwise their families don’t have the money to allow them to take higher education. Rather they need them to work to earn money to help support the entire family.
The local Royal temple
The ubiquitous motorbike is everywhere. Touts are not so pushy here, they back off the moment you say you’re not interested in whatever they are selling. Very polite. It’s curious to see people riding motorbikes while talking on cell phones, or holding umbrellas against sun or rain. A motorbike is a family vehicle here, with up to 4 or 5 people sharing the seat as they go about their business.
Again the children are beautiful, disarming in their innocence and big eyes. They look and sound happy which is not something that can be said a lot of US children or young adults. Gryffin of course being the exception.
In Luang Prabang the Mekong converges with one of it's tributaries. The waters of the Mekong are always muddy, it has many undercurrents and eddies and is very dangerous for an inexperienced person to travel on. Underneath are submerged logs and other debris swirling about. The local boatmen know the river well and it's safest to hire one of them to take you around on the river.
We got a Laos phone chip for the cell phone. But it doesn’t seem to want to call Ireland. It’s fine to the States.
Visited Wat Xienmouane Vajiramangauram during the day. That evening we went to a local family’s house who were hosting a dance and music event for tourists at Le Tam Tam Garden bar. It really was someone’s front living room. It had been converted and expanded to host about 25 Farang and served a buffet-stlye dinner. Beer was available for purchase. The show was performed by the entire family. Grandpa and Dad and friends were the orchestra. The mother, daughers and other female family members were the dancers. It was utterly charming, more close to the real thing than I could ever have expected.
Later that evening we had a gorgeous sunset followed by lightening and a little rain. The humidity had been high today. The rain was a relief.
In the afternoon I’d seen a little boy totally absorbed with his game of marbles. He had 3 marbles, but it was the best thing since sliced bread to him. Later three little children played with the lamp posts, shimmying up them with no problem. Children played using their imagination and whatever was around them. Not a Toys R' Us in sight.
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