When most people hear the word, “Laos” they think of a back-water country with no running water, no electricity and no trace of Western culture. They aren’t all-together wrong. Large swaths of the country are like this, albeit without the lack of Western-influence, as rigged-up satellite dishes have brought our culture in to even the most remote villages. But quite a few of the bigger cities, in particular, Vientiane the capital, offer all the Western creature comforts of home, though within the wonderful culture of Laos. Laos’ capital city is fully developed to the needs of tourists, ex-patriots and diplomats, meaning it boasts international restaurants, bars, clubs, gyms, bookstores, clothing shops; you name it, Vientiane has it, and it‘s probably new. Vientiane was likely a comfortable, modern respite for foreigners, from their work in the rest
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