A change of pace

Feb 4/07

I left my hotel at 5:30, and got to the airport at 6:30. My flight left at 8:30, exactly on time. We landed at 9:30 also on time. Then I stood in line for 1 3/4 hrs for my visa. Of all the countries in the whole world, Canada seems to have really pissed off someone in Laos. We pay the highest fee for a visa of any country. (42US$) The next closest country pays under 40$.

I finally got my luggage at 11:30 and headed into Vientiane. Within minutes of leaving the airport, I noticed a huge difference between Laos and Vietnam. It's slow, quiet, and relaxed. There's no honking, no pushing on the streets. Nobody seems in a hurry. I love it. The capital city of Ventiane (pop. 200,000) seems very small after the bustle and crowding of Hanoi, and I got a room right on the riverbank (the Mekong river). Of course, it's dry season, so I can't see any water, but I'm sure it's there.

I was exhausted so I had a nap (one of those lovely perks of holidays) and then wandered around the town for a few hours. It was so pleasant. I didn't have to worry about being run over, everyone moves at a slower pace, and the moto drivers even wear helmets. What a difference.