Blogs from Vang Vieng, West, Laos, Asia - page 4

On May 11th we drove from Luang Prabang along a steep new road through the mountains that cut two hours off the older route to Vang Vieng. It was cool and very misty but we caught glimpses of impressive views as the mist rolled around. Before we reached the mountains we passed many rice fields and also visited a mixed race village of Hmong, Lao, and Khmu people. On different sides during recent conflicts, the government is obviously working to unite the different groups. The village school children were on a break and we created much interest. They giggled when Keith showed them photos of themselves and it was a pleasure to see them active and playing as at a couple of Lao villages we visited along the Mekong the young children had been sitting vacantly ... read more

Vang Vieng is world famous for his bar to bar adventure in a tube on the Nam Song river. Despite the beautiful surroundings that this city offers and other open air activities than the tubing, Vang Vieng stays popular and known as an debauchery city where everything is permitted. Even if at first, we were not really into this drinking tubing adventure, yet we decided to give it a try. To be honest, finally none of us regretted it. We had a lot of fun and met a lot of new backpackers. Unfortunately, Vang Vieng stays for us a city associated with a tragic news that will change the rest of our trip. The 18th of March, we learn that our friend Ernst passed away. Following this devasting news, Florence decided to go back to Belgium ... read more

So, yesterday we did quite a bit of work at the school and farm. For the first half of the day we went to the small village, Keo Kuang, and helped cement the base of the bathroom. Near lunchtime, sai and I decided to play some soccer. We ended up having a little crowd of kids around us smiling every time I couldn't juggle the ball (I can't juggle, in general). We played with the kids for a bit and then their recess was over. Sai and I went to the farm shortly after and watered the plants. We figured out last week the blueprints for the water system. Currently, we are taking the water from our well and filling big jugs. Let me tell you that the well is where the opening of the farm ... read more

Before I went to the wedding the girls, On and Ved, let me borrow a skirt and flip flop heels(same size luckily). They also braided my hair a certain way that is normal here. I'm thankful for them because I didn't want to look too falang at the wedding! When Sai and I arrived at the wedding ceremony the bride and groom and their families were waiting at the entrance to greet all the guests. We did the nop greeting(hands in a prayer position by your chest) and then seated ourselves. The environment was like an American wedding reception.The ceremony was outside and started around 8pm. After an hour the bride and groom walked in the middle and some photographer took some pictures. A few people spoke on the microphone and that was it. No clue ... read more

The first official day in VV was awesome! In the morning Davone(21 yr old staff member) showed me a slideshow about fruitfriends( local Lao organization) and there purpose. Basically their purpose is to promote healthy organic farming to all farmers around, in my case because that is what I volunteered for. But they also have volunteers in construction, business management, and teaching. And me being the only volunteer for 2 weeks I will have to any of those at any given time. Now for the rest of the day after that was great. Davone and I walked around downtown VV and she told me where all the important stores were..and bars;). After we got back we ate lunch(something with chicken and rice) and two hours later sai(team leader) took me to Keo Kuang(small village 30 minutes ... read more