I'll explain the title right quick. Here in Vientiane, there's a gaggle of tuk-tuk drivers that hang out and pester us as we walk by. First, they ask us if we need a ride, then they ask if we want "something" (a term for marijuana, opium, or 'boom-boom'...which is sex, of course). After you refuse the first dude's offer, the next one does the same, and the whole thing is repeated as you make your way through the gauntlet.

Out on the town for a proper late-night feed.
Well, we finally left Vang Vieng after spending a few too many days there (the happy foodstuffs make it easy to do). The day before our last, we ran into Darrin, a really cool South African cat, who let us know about a beautiful blue lagoon that we had to visit about 7 km outside of town. So, Chad and I rented mountain bikes and met the guys there for a day of rope swinging, branch jumping, and general lazing around. There was a great jump off the main tree about 7 m high.

Darren takes the plunge!

Good-bye, Vang Vieng.

Our next destination was Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Before arriving here, several people told me that the city was "shit" and that we had better not spend more than a couple days there. I found the place to be quite the opposite. I have really enjoyed my stay here. Unlike Vang Vieng, you can actually hang out with Lao folk and make friends instead of constantly participating in tourist activities. What Vientiane lacks in outdoor recreational activities, it more than makes up for in culture. I like having an equal amount of time devoted to each.

Ah, back in the city, which afforded me many opportunities to dine on great cusine. It's like Bangkok here in that all palates are catered to. There's the awesome Scandinavian Bakery, lots of French and Italian restauarants, Indian, and of course the wonderful Lao food. I found a new favorite dish and have been eating it everyday at the same place. I even had the owner of the place show me how to make it, so I will be happy to share with anyone back home upon my return. Mmmm, it really is splendid!

Sipping brewskis along the Mekong.

The nightlife here is great. We have been going to a few different Lao nightclubs, including places such as "Future Bar" and "Mina." They are both pretty classy places, where very few falang (foreigners) venture. On one particular evening at Mina, we met a man named Pon (translation: "Apple") who is the self-proclaimed kingpin of the city. He brought us back to his lair and took very good care of us, offering food, drink, and transportation without a second thought. He would just snap his fingers and one of his minions would do his bidding. "Noodles?" he asked. "Sure." Snap! Ten minutes later, we are all eating noodles. Definitely a guy to have on your side.

Vientiane has a couple of decent bowling alleys, giving us a nice taste of home. THE place to go after a night of drinking...so that you can do more drinking.

Gutterballs.

The last couple days, I have spent on the beaches of the Mekong River, playing with children, fish, and frogs. I am amazed at both their enthusiasm and athletic ability (I'm talking about the kids here). Yesterday, I met a wee lad (who couldn't have been more than 7 years of age) who would bust out back flips in succession with a huge grin on face the whole time. He could also do the worm as best as I have ever seen and had a pretty impressive repertoire of break dance moves.

A boy and his puffer fish.

Poor, poor Chad. The guy biffed it hard on his motor bike and is going to have some really nice battle scars after his wounds heal in a few weeks. He was fortunate enough to have crashed right in front of a doctor who cleaned and dressed his wounds for him. Just have a look; a picture says a thousand words:

The next Mr. Universe?

Last night, Jacynthe, a quirky chick from Quebec, convinced us to wake up at the butt-crack of dawn to watch the monks collect food. They walk around the city in single file lines, collecting food from the faithful. It's really interesting to see and also visually quite beautiful, as the monks, young and old, clad in bright orange robes, perform a group blessing for those that do offer.

Monks on a mission for some grub.

Part 2.

Tonight, we leave for Pakse, in Southern Laos, where we will book a boat for Don Det, an island in the region known as Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands). In Si Phan Don, the Mekong River widens and is littered with a bunch of islands, large and small, some inhabited and some not. Where we are planning to go is supposedly very cheap (basically a backpacker's haven). I will write more about this wonderful place when the time comes.

So, Megan, m'lady back in Portland, has informed me that Mt. St. Helens has erupted again! And also that the weather has been quite hot lately. What the heck is going on? It's still March, right? Thinking about all that also made me think about what I miss from home. Here is the short list:

1. Fir trees
2. Mountains covered with snow
3. Jack in the Box
4. Chronic
5. Momma's home cookin'
6. Dark(er) beers in general, but especially Dad's homebrews

Of course, there are many people that I miss dearly, but I refuse to write names. I hope you all are happy and I am especially grateful to those who are continuing to correspond with me on this journey. Later, y'all.

"Freedom is the right to live as we wish."
Epictetus