Good Bye Laos

Trip Start Feb 05, 2008
1
29
70
Trip End Ongoing


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Where I stayed
Chantha Guesthouse
(Vientiane hotels)

Flag of Lao Peoples Dem Rep  ,
Thursday, April 10, 2008

A sleeper bus with a bed is better than the other kind, but not much.  Along with just having gotten off a ten hour over-night bus ride and having had only a half-assed night's sleep, my mood was somewhat melancholy.  I was traveling alone again for the first time in over three weeks and I was about to leave Laos. 
 
I've tried to portray an accurate sense of what Laos is like here in writing but it is difficult.  While in Mendoza, I stayed at a hostel called Hostel Lao.  Mike and Celeste met while traveling in Laos, got together, continued traveling and eventually settled back in Celeste's home territory in Argentina, renovated and old house and opened a hostel.  And they named it after the best country they had traveled in.  I get it.  Laos is a special place. The people are happy, hospitable and trustworthy.  Travelers become like family.  You could leave you pack almost anywhere and it would still be there days later.  This country is one of the 10 poorest countries in the world yet I doubt a single Laotian would steal from you. Even the tuk-tuk mafia dickheads are good natured.  On one occasion I had purchased something at a market.  I agreed to the price and gave her the money and upon her 0realizing she was charging me double, the vendor corrected herself and returned the difference.  'Nuff said. 
 
I would spend my last day in Vientiane arranging my $130 flight to Hanoi (not a particularly good deal, really.), drinking good coffee, enjoying noodle soup and fruitshakes and catching up on internet.  It was really, really, really hot.  Laos' new year is just around the corner--Apr 14, 15 and 16.  They call it the 'water festival' or maybe the water festival is just part of it.  That's when the rains start to come. The country will shut down for three days.  Maybe it's a good time to get out--either that or stay.  My Vietnam visa has already kicked in and really it's time to close another chapter and move on to the next.  I'm ready.  I'm a little sad but I had a solid month in this beautiful place. 
 
Flight for Hanoi leaves at 18:00 on the 10th.
 
Stay tuned for pics...
 
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