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Published: April 18th 2005
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Home made liquer with the locals
Home made moonshine with the locals...NASTY...and you could light it on fire! After a few days of the New Year’s celebration I was kind of done with! I mean....it was really fun at first...but when a country is having a holiday like that you really cannot do anything else! So I decided to head into Laos.....by the "Slow Boat". And it was AMAZING. There are times on my trip when I really feel like I am doing something amazing...times when I'm like "hey I am on the other side of the world", and this boat trip was one of those times. It took two days to get from the Thai - Laos border into Luang Prabang, and just about the whole time was spent on this boat. But it was really enjoyable (and I finished all 3 books I had been carrying around). I was even able to sneak onto the roof and chill up there for a while..it was really nice watching the country side go by...little kids would run down from the villages and wave....it was great.
So I get to Luang Prabang and guess what...the Laos New Year had JUST STARTED...and they celebrated in the same way. I was pretty worried...but the celebration was really toned down..and it only
Umbrellas
I bought one lasted for one day. So I have spent the last two days just touring around the village checking things out.
So I had a pretty sober experience last night; and I will start off by saying that this is the first time that I have ever scene anything like this...at home and throughout my travels. Last night while walking home from dinner I came across a pretty horrible event that took place in the middle of a pretty busy area. A guy (maybe 20 years old) was basically beating a girl (who I am assuming was his wife or girlfriend) in the street. He was hitting
her, and dragging her around by her hair. It wasn’t so bad that she was bleeding...but she was definitely screaming, and to my "western eyes" it was really something that makes you sick. I was in a pretty bad situation and didn't really know how to react. I am totally the type of person to get involved, but when you are in countries like this you have no idea what could happen to you. There where about 30 locals around...none of them really getting involved either...finally an older man kind of broke things
Border Crossing
The gates into Laos..neat sign! up...but man...things like that really have an effect on you. I think that if I hadn't been alone...or if there were not so many other people around I would have done something...but as an outsider (a westerner) I really didn’t know what the best thing to do was…it is the type of situation that I really feel torn about. I think that not getting involved may have been the best thing, since I am a visitor to another country…but at the same time, should I sacrifice my beliefs of “right and wrong” just because I am in another culture…I don’t know and I don’t really think there is a correct answer?
So anyways, today I went to the Buddha Caves - where all the old Buddha images that are no longer in use are being stored (a few thousand of them) and to a really cool water fall (See the pics.). I have been traveling with a few German guys and having a good time.
Hope you enjoy the pics…send me some emails..and even some pics…let me know whats going on at home.
P.S. - I will be in India in about a WEEK!!
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anonymous
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Laos
Chris, the only way someone would touch your feet is if you paid them big bucks! I'm glad you were able to take that boat ride. Reminds us of a riverboat going down the Mississippi during Mark Twain's time and how all the townspeople would come out to wave. Enjoy your time, be safe and know that we love you! - Mom