So.... I could have started my stories on life in Laos at the beginning.... I mean, that's where most stories begin, but it seems much more fitting to start at the end... maybe tell a little bit from the middle, but basically go back to front.
So, I am home safely.... one piece.... one day late, but I'm home.
As we sat at the airport yesterday waiting for a flight to land in Laos, that would then take us to Bangkok... we saw a remarkable sight. A little bit of a crash landing. Tons of smoke... a slightly lopsided airplane, and a lot of shrieking coming from people at the gate. Turns out a whell on the airplane, burst or something like that.... anyway.... after thinking they could fix the problem in an hour or so... they came to the conclusion that, no, they couldn't - so we were sent on a bus to a hotel for the night. As we pulled up to the hotel, it was beautiful. Probably the nicest hotel we had seen in Laos. But no. That wasn't for us. That was for the Thai people. Us farang were sent walking to a guest house... 45 minutes away. When we arrived there -- there was no room for us, although we had been assured that there was. We did eventually find a place - around the corner. Hectic situation.. trying to figure out what time our flight would be in the morning... but all worked out. The flight home was a little brutal, particularily the landing. I had never been jolted so far forward in my seat upon landing before, and the entire descent was quite wobbly. Mike - come work for Bangkok Airways. Or Doug - if you are reading this - come work for Bangkok airways.
Anyway, what was supposed to be our last half day in Bangkok was quite lovely. It sta
rted out quite early - 5:30am to be exact. We were told we had to participate in the alms-giving to the monks... so we did. We were given out pots of sticky rice, and gave it to a line of approximately 300 monks as they walked past us down the street. There were monks of all ages... some probably as young as seven. Afterwards was a photo opportunity for all of the Thai people to have their photos taken with two Western girls. We then were taken to the morning market.... which, too, was quite a sight. 
Anything you could possibly imagine was there to buy, food wise anyway.... including frogs, rats, beez for fresh honey... it was a sight. Piles and piles of vegetables and chilis. And meat.... displayed in ways that would make anyone want to be a vegetarian (personal opinion perhaps).
rted out quite early - 5:30am to be exact. We were told we had to participate in the alms-giving to the monks... so we did. We were given out pots of sticky rice, and gave it to a line of approximately 300 monks as they walked past us down the street. There were monks of all ages... some probably as young as seven. Afterwards was a photo opportunity for all of the Thai people to have their photos taken with two Western girls. We then were taken to the morning market.... which, too, was quite a sight. 
Anything you could possibly imagine was there to buy, food wise anyway.... including frogs, rats, beez for fresh honey... it was a sight. Piles and piles of vegetables and chilis. And meat.... displayed in ways that would make anyone want to be a vegetarian (personal opinion perhaps).Anyway, the rest of that day was basically spent killing time until our trip to the airport. Had we had a premonition about the cancellation of our flight, we would have done something interesting, but instead, we sat in cafes... wandered through street markets... nothing too special.
So... more to come on this delightful trip to Laos. Perhaps I will start at the beginning next time.
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