Laos is the red-headed stepchild of Southeast Asia, forgotten and overshadowed by its illustrious neighbors. Not, that this is Laos' fault. When you share borders with such a lineup of famous (and sometimes notorious) countries, it's easy to be overlooked. Laos lacks anything that would put it on the international map (not literally of course. It's on an actual map, it's the one that looks like it's spooning with Vietnam. Like me it prefers to be the little spoon). Thailand has its beaches, Vietnam has its war, Cambodia has its history and China has, well, the fact that it's freakin China. Laos is Ringo, the fat Baldwin, Christian Laettner on the dream team, and Joe the plumber's brother Greg the podiatrist. It is surrounded by greatness and glory-hogs in every direction and unable to wrestle the
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