Vientiane

Vientiane is hot! The heat here is unbearable and getting around outside is like a sauna. Nonetheless, we are here to see what efforts are taken regarding UXO issues with the Legacies of War group. The group of 14 or so treks around town meeting with NGO's, offices and routinely meet and greet many people. Some of the challenges have been language and translation but we do get by. The major story on UXO right now in Laos is victim assistance and preventive education. The road to clear all UXO in Laos is daunting so many angles on the issue are being addressed...primarily the immediate needs for villagers to make a living. Laos. Poor country. Poor people. It's going to take a while to get this country moving forward.

As for the arts scene we have not seen any theaters or artists. So we are still in search of a possible venue or live performers to meet. We just heard about the Lao National Puppet Theater Company and hope to connect with them in the next few days before we head to Xieng Khouang.

The country is changing...city life and country life are two very distinct lifestyles. Vientiane is one very specific area. We've yet to visit the rest of Laos and the countryside to see the other aspects of life. So far...Vientiane is a modernizing city.

There are times I feel that I don't belong...my Lao is weak. My sense of direction...lost. I feel very foreign in a place that I have very little memory of. Tourists pervade the streets and hotels and I am not them...yet I am...a visitor connected to this country if only simply by birth...but not much else. Laos. Land of a million elephants. It was before my time before your time.