i think i use my watch as much for the DATE as for the TIME. in this case, it was about visa expiration and our trip into laos was due. packed like sardines in a 'minibus' we ventured out from our latest hometown of pai. 9pm - 4am on the windy roads brought us to the border along with several other confused travelers, "what is a good price?' "where do we get the boat?" what is UP with the exchange rate?" (8700 kip for $1). the plan for us (despite my hesitance) was the 2 day "slow boat" down the mekong river to luang probang. we were delighted to agree with our new formed motley group of travellers that we had gotten the best seats in the house - atop bags of rice in the front of the boat atop a platform where we could sprawl out, hang out, share stories and play games. we consisted of Nadine - australian seasoned vagabonder\Continent jumper and like-minded discoverer; nate - L.A. college funny-man, a novice traveler with great responses and easy laugh; jean baptiste (J.B.) - french policeman concentrating hard to keep up with our fast english but up for any adventure, a natural athlete; brad and mirium - aussie couple with fun and interesting travel stories including a week of bonding with elephants; and pablo - quick-witted argentinian with a way of saying things ('don't say my name, i want to forget who i am right now," he says after getting a bum-deal in the village of pak beng), on a journey to find airplane crash remnants in northern laos and vietnam. we bonded for a few days in luang probang, then scattered. different combos of us joined and rejoined throughout our 3 days there. together we experienced a magical turquoise waterfall, mobs of soliciting tuk-tuk drivers, good food (delicious "mekong weed"), pick up soccer with hard-playing lao kids, surreal bowling, and new friendship.
4 comments:
Your faces, so beautiful, as you travel the "slow boat" down the mekong river amongst new friends. Do you ever stop and think about how crazy/amazing all this is or does it all seem "normal" at the time?
I don't think Adam and Tracy know how to do anything "normal." It's all crazy. (Just ask them about their last anniversary!) They're crazy. Funny thing is, that's why I love them. Well, one of the reasons anyway.
We are figuring out the last items to stuff in our suitcase, your blog and postcard (received with huge smiles and humbled gratitude) remind us of the days when packing was simpler and traveling light.
"Make sure to include some books for the kids, what about toys? have you packed Mark's medicine..." We are scrambling to get the house clean, M&M constantly leave things behind or dirty up the bathroom for the fifth time.
We are going to Guatemala, the whole family (for the first time), and we are super excited. Ivonne can't wait to worship God in her own language and I am a little apprehensive of the work that is to be done. But the kids are excited to get on a plane and we are excited mainly because they are. It's family, it's hard, but it's good.
We love you guys much and can't wait to swap stories. After Guatemala I have to hit Senegal and then Ivonne and I are doing it all over again to go to Colombia Aug 18, but that time mainly for vacation. Anyway hope our paths cross also in Aug., but if not September will be soon.
Blessings,
Scotty
Hey - how are you? What an adventure! We are vicariously living through your vivid words and images of a place an culture so foreign to us. Thank you for the postcard! Went to see g-ma today and she sends her love. We think about you often and you are in our prayers. G-ma read a wonderful letter from David to me today - how God has placed he and Sarah there and his deep sense of Spiritual direction. God is awesome! We love you both - be safe!! U Craig & A Diane
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