The Peeps

One man I met put things into perspective in a way that only broken Enlgish can: "Thailand... Smileland." If that's the case (and it is), then Laos Cheezes harder than Chucky himself, and all of
Thailand to boot. Differentiating between the happiest people in the world is a daunting task which is currently staring me dead in the eye, western shoot-out style. I guess I'll just 'when in rome' it, crack a big one, and get down to business then eh.

No matter what type of spectacular landscapes produce, I've found that the people are what make a place special. In NZ, with backdrops that demand a serious pinch to validate reality, my best moments were those that found the beautiful people a prominent yarn at my memory loom, woven tightly into the surrounding environment. South East Asia has only solidified previously liquid convictions, as each crazy turn of events has found some amazing human being ushering me onward, my traffic guides, directing me toward the never-land of fun and rewarding experiences.

First with Thailand... Sure, there are those that take advantage at every opportunity to dupe you out of all your money (which I find truly ironic considering that 95% of the people are Buddhist, and I don't feel like ripping off another human being is going to go over so sweet in the Karmic realm), but the vast majority of people I've encountered are just beautiful. Thai people are very open, accepting, and definetely in your face. You'll see guys walking down the street, arms around one anothers shoulders, girls walking hand in hand, and you'll definetaly get a tuk-tuk driver or two who will give you suave yank of the arm, the subtle indentations of 'you my best friend, I make special deal for you' lingering on your skin even after the attempt to sell
his services to you. And when it comes to sexuality, the hinges from the doors of modesty get
blown straight off. From getting the stare down from many a tranny (which are a dime a
dozen), to creepy old dudes escorting young Thai girls about (talk about not having any game),
to the infamous ping-pong shows (urban dictionary it if you're not in the know). I find them
very playful, as every vendor you walk by is yakking smack talk to somebody across the street,
laughter rings in the air, filling in the few blank notes not already taken by honking horns.

Now subtract the rush, the noise, the intensity of Thailand, then roll it all up in an Opium pipe and get zooted beyond a sensible level of 'chill' - and you have Laos. Still very much a tribal country, the dialysis of tourist stimulation has yet to completely revert the simple, laid back lifestyle (I prematurely bestowed the crown of 'most laid back' on Thai people). While life is slower here (you'll hear people refer to 'Lao time' in regards to a generally impervious attitude towards the hands of a clock), it is definetaly hard, as many villages lack electricity and other modern conviences. The people age at a rate dictated more by Western, not 'Lao,' time, resulting in a reliance upon the boundless energy of youth, and thus the swarming population of children milling about. Kids are everywhere, bleating out friendly 'sab-ai-dee's (hello), and grinning shyly at the 'falang' (foreigner), as you pass. Marry young, have a LOT of kids young, and watch your body get old while you are still young, seems to be the timetable for life here. Despite the simple, basic life, these are THE happiest people that I've ever encountered, as the harsh life lead cannot dim the twinkle found in each eye.

Here are a few of my favorites, each picture spinning its own thread into the fabric of my
travels...