Ventiennenter Sandman

Oh man.. we just laughed about that title for about ten minutes.. we must really be losing it. Yes, we're in Vientienne, Laos which is hazy, lazy and about the most chilled out capital city i can imagine. It's quite a departure from Hanoi which has a very big city vibe, like New York or (i imagine) Paris where the city is beautiful but unwelcoming like "Deal with it."
I was expecting the worst from the ride here and i didnt entirely get it, but damn close. At least I had a seat this time, unlike the ride from Mui Ne to Nha Trang where i had to sit in the aisle (actually it wasnt too bad, i laid down and eventually got used to having this old woman's unshod foot right in my grill and got some sleep, i think unlike anyone else on the bus). Anyway this right was hella long and filled with vaugely unfriendly smelly young men. Anyway 25 hours later we ended up in Ventienne which has been really nice- im sure G will write all about the traditional herbal sauna and massage, so i don't have to. I will tell you tho that Laosian people seem like some of the nicest and most gentle i've met in SE Asia. We'll be traveling northwards up the Mekong river into north Thailand and meeting up eventually with Erin and Angie and even Pa Breneman.. to be continued