Unlike Jason, I think I will be a once-a-month writer, and I have finally gotten the motivation to write, since my first attempt was not saved by google a couple of weeks ago. We have spent a month in Thailand and are now in our second week in Laos, and what a trip it has been so far. We are currently in Vientiane awaiting for our visas by the Vietnam embassy so we can take our 16 hours sleeper bus to Vinh (Vietnamese coast) on Friday. After spending a month in Thailand I have learned so much about their culture and way of life, I am already looking forward to our second pass there. Bangkok was the biggest city I have ever been to and I was truly impressed by their public transit and tourist sites, but the overwhelming dirtiness and packed streets was too much so it was a relief to venture north. As we begun our way we started to become slightly bombarded to all the different wats (temples), and we also needed some much rest from our first experience of inevitable travelers sickness. While taking it easy, we were able to get some much needed rest and learn some more about rugby and cricket, since it was the only English programming we could find on Thai TV.
And while I am slightly on subject, I would like to share my thoughts on the toilets in SE Asia. We have had an extreme range in our experiences in this area but a common problem in all of SE Asia is that one must always throw away used paper into a small bin since their plumbing can’t handle it. A common experience is the short version of a toilet that requires a squat and generally no toilet paper to follow--luckily I am a very prepared person. Another issue I have with large restrooms and other public areas is that there is no such thing as a line, and it generally requires being aggressive to get yourself into a stall or anywhere. This also bring up the point of how in SE Asia the idea of personal space is non existent, but I was expecting this to be the case. We have experienced this heavily while using all sorts of transportation. The most common is when using public buses which they cram full with people. We have traveled on minibuses (large vans), VIP buses, public buses, tuk-tuks, trains, boats, scooters and all have resulted in a funny story or two--from tough negotiating on price to some weaker stomachs sitting right in front of you.
My favorite places have been Chiang Mai for their flower festival and nearby mountain range and also Soppong where we were only about 15 miles from the Burmese border. In Soppong we stayed at a great lodge with some amazing food and views, and we toured our first cave that was extremely impressive. It was one of the first places that felt remote to get some peace and quiet
A major insight that I have experienced while traveling is how the tourist industry has adapted to all these western travelers There are so many places offering elephant rides, tiger kingdom tours, and hill tribe treks and they are relatively expensive (comparatively speaking). But all these offerings have made me examine the issue a little more like if all these tourists decided not to ride the elephants would they still be free in the forests? Or what do these hill tribes think of these white people coming to look and take a photo with them like they are an exotic species of human? There are also the markets everywhere trying to sell goods to tourists, and while we have been to many cities I can safely say they are selling the same stuff at each “unique” market. I have no idea what the tourist industry will do to these people and their country, but it is hard to support this market when I feel that the animals and people involved are being treated unfairly. A main problem that I see is child labor, and it is in your face here. The children are used to sell you goods, maybe to make you feel guilty as a westerner. But I know that if I buy from them it will only encourage this market further. It is hard enough just to watch the children sitting and sleeping at these night markets while their parents work, but when they are the ones selling the goods it makes me think hard about how I should spend my money. Just the other day we ate a slightly expensive meal at this restaurant that trains street youth on how to cook traditional Laotian meals, and I felt great about every dollar I spent since I knew it would help a great program and the cities youth-- we plan to eat there again. We just started talking about going to Burma, since we have met several travelers who have gone to every place in SE Asia and yet Burma was their favorite since it has not developed any definite tourist industry yet...
And while I am slightly on subject, I would like to share my thoughts on the toilets in SE Asia. We have had an extreme range in our experiences in this area but a common problem in all of SE Asia is that one must always throw away used paper into a small bin since their plumbing can’t handle it. A common experience is the short version of a toilet that requires a squat and generally no toilet paper to follow--luckily I am a very prepared person. Another issue I have with large restrooms and other public areas is that there is no such thing as a line, and it generally requires being aggressive to get yourself into a stall or anywhere. This also bring up the point of how in SE Asia the idea of personal space is non existent, but I was expecting this to be the case. We have experienced this heavily while using all sorts of transportation. The most common is when using public buses which they cram full with people. We have traveled on minibuses (large vans), VIP buses, public buses, tuk-tuks, trains, boats, scooters and all have resulted in a funny story or two--from tough negotiating on price to some weaker stomachs sitting right in front of you.
My favorite places have been Chiang Mai for their flower festival and nearby mountain range and also Soppong where we were only about 15 miles from the Burmese border. In Soppong we stayed at a great lodge with some amazing food and views, and we toured our first cave that was extremely impressive. It was one of the first places that felt remote to get some peace and quiet
A major insight that I have experienced while traveling is how the tourist industry has adapted to all these western travelers There are so many places offering elephant rides, tiger kingdom tours, and hill tribe treks and they are relatively expensive (comparatively speaking). But all these offerings have made me examine the issue a little more like if all these tourists decided not to ride the elephants would they still be free in the forests? Or what do these hill tribes think of these white people coming to look and take a photo with them like they are an exotic species of human? There are also the markets everywhere trying to sell goods to tourists, and while we have been to many cities I can safely say they are selling the same stuff at each “unique” market. I have no idea what the tourist industry will do to these people and their country, but it is hard to support this market when I feel that the animals and people involved are being treated unfairly. A main problem that I see is child labor, and it is in your face here. The children are used to sell you goods, maybe to make you feel guilty as a westerner. But I know that if I buy from them it will only encourage this market further. It is hard enough just to watch the children sitting and sleeping at these night markets while their parents work, but when they are the ones selling the goods it makes me think hard about how I should spend my money. Just the other day we ate a slightly expensive meal at this restaurant that trains street youth on how to cook traditional Laotian meals, and I felt great about every dollar I spent since I knew it would help a great program and the cities youth-- we plan to eat there again. We just started talking about going to Burma, since we have met several travelers who have gone to every place in SE Asia and yet Burma was their favorite since it has not developed any definite tourist industry yet...