Welcome to the Land of a Million Elephants

Quick facts about intriguing Laos:

- 5,8 million people (a big chunk live in hill tribes and doesn't share the same ethnic, cultural and religious background);
- Most heavily bombed country per capita in history of warfare (177 bombs a day or 1 planeload of bombs every 8 minutes for 9 years);
- Communist, in the process of embracing market economy (US suspended the economic embargo in 2003);
- Around 10% of the population fled the communist revolution. Many remaining opponents were oppressed, including the centuries-old Lao monarchy members, who were exiled in the border with Vietnam in 1977 not to be seen again;
- accepts 3 currencies everywhere (the Lao kip, the Thai baht and the US dollar).

About picturesque Laos:

The bus system reflects a lot the laid back Lao lifestyle. Check it out:
- if there aren't enough passengers, we wait until the bus is full (the other day, we waited 5 hours);
- a bus can easily hit a lamppost while parking in the bus station. In that case, no panic. We find another wooden post and replace it (the lack of energy is almost not noticed anyway);
- if you need to spit, why not on the bus floor?
- if you need to pee, just ask the bus driver. He'll pull over right away and all passengers will find a spot to relieve themselves on the sides of the road;
- if the old bus overheats, we spot for some minutes and continue;
- as people also need to transport the motorbikes, rice sacks and animals, let's squeeze a little bit and fit everything.

I must say the magic is conquering me. I'm really enjoying this peace of land - or should I say state of mind?


Border Thailand - Laos just crossed

Typical Lao bus (the one that hit the lamppost)



Overheated bus in Laos