The day of travel was probably more exhausting than the day of hiking. I left Hong Kong in the morning to fly to Bangkok, where I had a six-hour layover. Finally, only Lao Airlines stood between me and Vientiane. There were just 12 other passengers on the prop plane (and room for a lot more), and two Lao stewardesses in traditional dress. I had planned on napping for the quick one-hour flight, but about 10 minutes into it all the cabin lights came back on and we were served a full meal…surprising, since there was barely enough time to eat between take off and landing. The in-flight magazine was perhaps my favorite part: it was the pilot issue, and in dire need of some English editing. Excerpt from the Editor’s Note: “As, it is new born magazine and first issue, I am sure that it would has something mistake.” But perhaps as my Lao improves, I’ll be able to read what was originally intended.
a little bit of Thailand in the Bangkok airport
One moment, I was trying to nap while cruising above Laos, and the next I found myself holding on to the back of a motorbike, riding past Patuxi, Laos’ version of the arc de triomphe, in search of dinner. Three of the other PiA-ers here picked me up from the airport, and after depositing my 45 pound suitcase (just under the weight limit the whole time, score!), we headed out on the town for my first Lao meal at one of the “classier” spots in town. Too tired to have any idea of the names of what we ordered (except laap, morning glory and sticky rice, or khao neow), I just dug into the delicious family-style dishes, enjoyed my first Beerlao, the “beer of the wholehearted people,” (according to their slogan) and met the barrage of new friends, including several future coworkers.
today’s Lao lunch
After a coma-like first sleep, I’ve had a day of “real life”…I haven’t seen the sights yet, haven’t taken pictures of the temples or chickens in the road. All of that will come with time because I’m keeping in mind that this time I’m not a tourist. This will be my new home, and I’ll be discovering it slowly as one does with any new town. So instead of sunset by the Mekong, I spent the day getting a cell phone, driving around with a realtor looking at potential houses, learning first-hand about the enforcement of Lao traffic laws (but no cause for concern here), and lounging at a cafe with new friends. Tomorrow may bring a bit of touristing, and more photos and descriptions are coming soon.