Yesterday as I was checking my email, I saw that another fellow traveller was online so I IMed him. Erik (or eeyartee) has been trying to convince me about the merits of South Africa for ages. I haven't been convinced. It just doesn't have much appeal for me.

However, after sending his last email to me about how great things were, he got mugged at knifepoint.

Not good at all. THat's not on the list of things you want to have happen on your trip. However, he didn't get all worked up about it, and has made the best of it because he now has to rearrange his flights while waiting for new documents and cash cards to arrive. However, it was only a minor hiccup. He could have just as easily been mugged in the States.

I'm off for Laos tonight if my China visa comes out alright when I pick up my passport at 6. If not, I will have to reapply in Vientiane. Ok, I'm off now! Posts may get sparse as I have no idea how often I can get online in Laos.