I’ll be back in Udon later this summer, can’t wait.

I’ve been to Japan twice and just got back a few weeks ago from HK, but Thailand is next on my list.

I’d like to spend about a year or two in SE Asia. I’ve considered getting my CELTA in Bangkok and making my way by teaching.

Love Asia.

But to my surprise, Laos won our hearts, and most in our group agreed that it was the high point of the trip. Luang Prabang is a beautiful, unspoiled river town (if you can, take a slow river boat down the Mekong to get there). There was some construction going on in Luang Prabang, but most of it was renovation of small single-unit houses into tourist rentals, rather than large hotels, so the charm remains. Religion is intertwined into life there, and the monks are everywhere (I believe that at least a few months of service as a novice is required of young male teens, or is at least quite common).

Friendly people (often anxious to practice their English with you), great food, beautiful sights. I’d go back to Laos in a heartbeat if I could.

Bishop on April 9, 2009 at 9:57 AM

always use the “buddy system”

yes, i too spent a month in Pattaya during a reserve ACDUTRA back in 1995. had the time of my life. now i go up north to my girlfriends hometown of Petchabun.

geckomon on April 9, 2009 at 10:02 AM

Hence the “gecko” in geckomom, di ba? : )
Have you been in the Phils & seen their geckos?

The photos are pretty good too.

I’d wish you a pleasant journey discovering the tranquility, but, I see it is already well underway.

Pleasant destinations. . .

Scenes such as this provide overwhelming evidence that there is still hope for a peaceful outcome to any conflict or stressful situation.

You simply must STOP for a while, take a deep breath, relax and look around and you will see or sense the peacefulness in the largest or smallest objects in your presence.

jgapinoy on April 9, 2009 at 9:55 AM

We also use the term pinoy to denote those who are Filipino by heritage but live in the US. Native Filipinos use the term these days, though.

(My mom’s from Manila.)

jgapinoy on April 9, 2009 at 9:29 AM

Great story. Awesome witness. Thank you.

Pattaya Beach is beautiful, though if you leave the main drag at night you could find yourself in trouble. Had a hell of a time there while enjoying a week’s liberty from my Navy ship; spend over a thousand dollars and had nothing to show for it but a pair of flip flops, someone else’s khaki shorts and a walking stick made to look like a cobra. I have no idea what happened to my camera, shirt or shoes.

Ah, the good ol’ days.

Bishop on April 9, 2009 at 9:12 AM

Squab is the young version of Central Park’s feathered friends. (Albeit farm raised)

Some of us old farts are planning a re-union in Thailand this year. Hope I can make it.

You will do good work.

It’s like “Yankee” is to Americans.

jgapinoy on April 9, 2009 at 9:28 AM

Wow, ok, thanks.

Been way too long since I’ve hung out with my filipino friends at school

i only remember Tatay! correctly

Thanks, reading it now.

may I ask why the Philippines?

artist on April 9, 2009 at 9:15 AM

Here’s my story:
http://theologyworks.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-i-decided-to-retire-in-philippines.html

doesn’t pinoy mean little boy in tagalog?

blatantblue on April 9, 2009 at 9:00 AM

It’s like “Yankee” is to Americans.

Many Laotians are simple people.

That’s more than a bit patronizing, isn’t it? They’re horribly poor and kept in isolation by their disgusting communist government.

However the imp in me reminds me of this cartoon.

geckomon on April 9, 2009 at 8:59 AM

They only had a VCR… that IS primitive!