Many think that Thailand, Laos, Burma, and Cambodia are the same one country divided into 4 irrelevant parts. Just pick one of ‘em and you’re set. Due to that ignorance, Laos remains one of the least traveled countries in Southeast Asia, and “one of the last quiet countries on earth,” as one native stated. While I argue that Laos is unique from its neighbors, I can’t pretend that I know much about the country. In my brief exchanges with David during the past 24 hours, he mentioned a few aspects, like that it’s communist and that there are no ATM’s, but he ultimately handed me the Lonely Planet and sent me on my way. David was so laidback in the preparation of this trip because, even more than my past travel companions, the next two are experts on the places we’ll be touring together. Their English is good, but their Lao is better. Kadum and Panuwat. I first met them 2 summers ago when I did a Rustic program here, but our paths have crossed numerous times in the last 4 months. And each time I learn more about their incredible backgrounds… Kadum, though we’ll call him by his nickname Dum (no “b”), was a monk for 6 years and a bodybuilder on the side – the usual combo. When his father and brother died, he left the monastery to fill both roles and support his family. Panuwat, though we’ll call him by his Buddhist title Maha, was a monk from age 13 to age 25. He just recently told me that those 12 years consisted of school from 7 in the morning until 8 in the evening every day. He too left to support his family (and make up for a lost adolescence!). Dum and Maha are two of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Both speak Lao as their first language, as does one third of the Thai population. In fact, Dum’s mother barely speaks Thai. They were only told yesterday about the week-long jaunt, but there’s not much to do in advance anyway. Loi, a hilarious lady and reliable songtao (pickup truck taxi) driver, will take us thirty minutes north to the border, and then we’ll work our way up by rickshaw, tuktuk, bus, boat – who knows? The only thing certain is our excitement.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 15th, 2005 at 9:38 am in XII. Laos. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.