Driving back to LP from VV

Boat Racing Festival

Beer Lao at noon

Hello Kitty....

Beer Lao Float

Close race

The neon team WON!!!!

Marcus and our friends..

Oh Lordy.. where to begin

Marcus still standing..

And he's out. 

What a fun day. Watching Boat races.. drinking Beer Lao...making new friends.

I hope I will be here next year to do it all over. 

Vang Vieng Dance Party

Dance Party. Pouring Rain. 

Feeling My Age. 

Opium Den

Playing Cards

Funny Faces

Magic Mushrooms

                                                                                                    Antiqued

                                                                    

So it might not be the dark, underground type of opium dens I imagine existed in the 60's.. But if the street outside didn't look like it was built by and for tourists... if there was a door that had no sign, or if the only spot to sit was in the dark corner in back with the guys playing cards... you wouldn't know that it was 2010. I remember a teacher... who shall remain anonymous (BB) describing to me in high school what the opium dens where like back in the 60's and for some reason it always seemed so mysterious and strangely romantic. Not the opium itself, more the scene inside.
Well.. While I didn't myself take part in the actual reason to be in the den in the first place (fear of the unknown in unknown places gets the better of me these days) I did enjoy the music and the company. A great mellow Saturday night in Vang Vieng.
I am developing my disposable underwater camera to see how the pictures of that day turned out.... Lots of Beer Lao, and lots of laughs.. oh and a fall face-first into the river... it was slippery, I swear.

Sitting in Trees

I like spending time with these two buddhas. It is a quiet spot to think and watch the going-ons at the temple. Sometimes a monk or novice will come sit with me and practice his english, or he just sits and remains silent.  It is nice to just sit and be silent for a little bit.