A taste of the Lao culture

Be prepared for a wonderful culturinary experience, as I take you through what I have experienced in the magnificent country of Lao... I hope your hungry.

As we begin I'd like to invite you to close your eyes and imagine you are in a tropical paradise. Feel the soft caress of your hair being whisked across your face by the breeze that is a most heavenly gift, as the days are wonderfully warm. Stretch your arms into the "Y" formation, as if you were strutting around with "Village People" singing about a certain physical fitness and family center, and lean as far back as you can (please be seated) and listen to each vertebrae in your spinal column as they give you a round of applause. Now I'd like you to breathe in, with a breath so deep and forceful that it will most definitely cause some sort of shift in the weather, causing all meteorologists to finally be wrong about tomorrows forecast. Release.

Let me tell you that as you may be reclined on a sandy island, sipping on your beverage of choice, I'm in a different paradise. Ladies and Gentlemen prepare your taste buds, you're in for a treat.

May I present to you the capital city of Laos, Vientiane.

Here we have a typical construction site in Lao. Yes, they're using twigs as makeshift scaffolding. For all I know that could be a strong structure, but by the looks of it, well, its enough to give any project manager from anywhere else a heart attack. Drink it in folks, this is quite a site.

To the right of the photo you will find a common mode of transportation. A Tuk-Tuk. The taxi-cab of Laos; usually the front part of a motorbike connected to a small truck-bed, complete with bench and canopy. A true friend when you have tired feet. But beware, drivers are sure to gyp and you may find that once you've reached your destination they may have overcharged you tremendously. I recommend bartering before hand and agreeing on a price. Don't be afraid to walk away if what they're asking is too ridiculous. They just might change their mind.

If you were to ask a local if they owned a motorbike you may get looked at as though you have just asked if they owned a toothbrush. Everybody who needs to be somewhere owns one. They are the main vehicle here in Laos. Don't be surprised if you see a child exiting a schoolyard on one, they're aloud and as far as I know as long as you can drive, you can.

Welcome to Patuxay Park!

What an array of color and design! Patuxay is near the top of the list when it comes to tourist hotspots in Laos. This isn't but a short jaunt (meh.... 30 min. walk) down the road from our house and was quite a site to see.

While here kindly obey the written rules. Please, no passing a grass.

This is it, feast your eyes on Patuxay.

Located in the heart of the Vientiane city, Patuxay (meaning "victory gate") as pretty as it may seem, was built during a turbulent time in Laos history. The monument was built in 1960, after World War II, in memory of the soldiers who died in previous wars and during the independence from France in 1949. It was built using funds and cement originally intended for an airfield, and new city airport, because of this the monument is sometimes referred to as the "vertical runway". A little bit of Patuxay history right there.

Patuxay doesn't fail to satisfy. And is beautified inside and out. Like a pastry, the decadent artistry that you can see from afar only tempts you to take a closer look.

As you peer into the magnificent creation you might as well be convincing yourself "surely one bite won't do much harm". Immediately you are engulfed with such awe and overcome by the beauty of all the tasty deliciousness you just have to step in further to feel the full affect. One wonderful thing after another and before you know it you've just swallowed the whole damn donut. Just the same this site gives the same feeling of satisfactory bliss, besides the fact that there is no guilt in this pleasure, and you don't have the wonderfully decorated Patuxay slapped on your hips.