I pledge allegiance...

Another lazy day in Laos (I say lazy like I do nothing, which clearly isn't the case, yet here in Vientiane we've really embraced downtime for the first time since we started traveling). We even slept in until nine! We are still finding this town (notice I just called the capital of a country a "town") very manageable. We think think we've been down every street now. There was one that looked really scary. It was big, with big gates, empty except for the armed men, etc. We knew where we wanted to go was right across the way, so we hesitantly stepped onto it. The soldiers smiled and motioned that it was okay. Turns out, that big scary building? The US embassy! We had a good laugh, said e pledge of allegiance as we passed the flag, and continued on. Who knew America could scare us most? Have we really been gone that long?



Our first stop, the Gold Palace. It might have another name but we aren't sure. There really wasn't much to see inside but we did wait the 30 minutes til it opened and walked the perimeter and nearby buildings. As we a but directionless, Alex walked off in one direction and a young Lao boy (no older than 20 years old) and his two girl friends stopped me with a camera. I thought they were asking me if I would take a picture of them. No! "do you speak English?" they asked. Turns out they wanted a picture of me and the two girls. I'm not sure if I should feel honored, like a movie star with adoring fans, or more like a character at Disneyland. Nonetheless, I got a kick out of it. Turns out they were from a more rural province and had come to "the big city" to visit cousins. Clearly, white people are a rarity.



I thought I'd do my part to help this poor bird-gorilla hold up the building for a few minutes while we waited.



The Victory Arc. This is a replica of the Arc d'Triumphe but a bit bigger and with Asian influence. It was built after the French granted sovereignty to Laos. Funnily, it was made from cement that the US donated for the purposes of a freeway. I'd be annoyed, as an american, that our gift was used differently than intended, but then I ask myself, who do we think we are giving cement?! What a dumb gift. This is clearly much more useful. And they've obviously figured out how to make their own cement (see the ground under the cars...)



Wi Saket. Alex and her new friends. This was only 1/1,000,000,000th of the buddhas there (okay, maybe 1/1,000,000th...)



I know I showed a picture yesterday but how gorgeous is the view of the Mekong at sunset from our hotel? (also, please note, Alex and I are not the couple in silhouette, this trip has not taken THAT kind of a turn...)



The lovely way we are finishing our day. Loving Laos.

P.S. Alex and I are both reading a book called "The Happiness Project" that documents one woman's year long quest to bring more happiness to her life and to those around her. It's a good read and I'd suggest it, it's also been a really good topic of conversation between us. One thing she identifies with herself is the need for "gold stars". I also have identified this need. I love getting emails and comments from those of you reading this but they seem to have dwindled a bit. I'll keep doing this regardless, because it is bringing me great pleasure (and Alex needs it to remember our trip), but if you have something to say, please, feel free to leave a gold star! I love it, even if I'm too tired to respond. I hope everyone in LA is surviving carmaggedon weekend.
Much love,
Emily

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