Final Days in SE Asia

Well my last few days in SE Asia went in a whirr. Most of it was spent traveling.
I was in the North of Laos and had to get back to Vientien (the capital city of Laos) to catch a bus to Bangkok so I could fly home. I ran out of money and as there is only one ATM in the whole of Laos and this is in Vientien. I had a problem. I finally tracked down a money changer who totally ripped me off but it was my only option, as some of my notes were already refused by another changer, as they didn’t have the right “picture” yeah right!!!

I managed to get from Louang Prabang with out issue. It was an amusing journey, one of the best. I went on the local bus so there were only 2 of us Ferrangi/westerners.
The seat next to me was occupied by a 30 something Laos man who came on board with a live chicken inside a blue plastic bag with just the head sticking out. The misfortunate chicken or rather the bag was then tied to the bar across of the seat in front sot that the chicken didn’t get to run away. However, each time the bus veered around a sharp turn in the road, the chicken went squawking to the opposite side of the seat only to return to the other side at the next turn. I became engrossed in watching this chicken “surfing”. At several points of the journey the chicken looked like it might make a run for it but the chicken tamer was way too quick. At one of the stops the other westerner came over and asked me if I had expected to be sharing my seat with a live chicken. I said no but my journey was the better for it. Although my heart went out to the poor chicken. Maybe he was to be someone’s dowry… Or dinner…

The westerner turned out to be a retired American Anthropologist. He had just been accepted to join a monastery in Louang Prabang and was on his way to get his visa extended in Vientien. The head monk accepted him even though he didn’t know how to speak Laos. But the American was here to learn it and I think he will succeed. I was very impressed with his perseverance and dedication. There are not many people who would do it.

In Vientien I was supposed to wait for the bus at this bar. So I spoke to the staff and they… well didn’t give me much info. Near the time of departure I asked again this time they showed me this office at the back of the bar. Turns out my bus had gone. Oh the joy. However, the office staff rang the rep in the bus and asked him to wait for me. So I ended up making a mad dash in a tuk tuk to the Thai border. God I was so glad I got that extra money changed.
I met Noa (the Isreali girl I met in Vien Vieng) in the queue. It was nice to catch up and see a friendly face. I made it through the border and thank god I had brought my spare bath from home as ii was able to pay the charge to get in to Thailand. I got a hotel in Bangkok had a few hours kip and then went shopping for underwear in my favourite mall in Bangkok. Bliss!!!! Then got my flight home.