I never knew that I could fall in love again and forgot all about my sorrow, so fast…when I first stepped into Laung Phrabang. It was love at first sight indeed when I saw the night market, smiles of local people, simplicity of life in the old days…and indescribable vibes from the city.
In Search of a Hotel
There are unwritten rules about my personal hotel search in each city. First of all, never trust Lonely Planet Guidebook. Yes, I know…but the book usually stated overpriced. If you can find local people, some of the best places I have been are not listed because they are for locals and only the locals knew best.
I remember the time I was in Barcelona, Spain, it was stated in all the guidebooks that there's no decent hotels that cheaper than 20 Euro/night unless you decided to be in the noisy, dirty, 8-16-bed hostels. Every book said it was impossible.
Then again, I found a place, a large, quiet, beautiful room with very clean toilet and towels near La Rambla for 20 Euro/night! The owner couldn't speak any English, but I paid beforehand and she was really happy. I moved out from my hostel (they put me in a room of 8 Aussie guys who were wild and crazy so I couldn't sleep all night, despite the fact that I went back to the hostel at 3:30 a.m.!) as soon as possible.
I am lucky this way. I also believe that when I entered Laung Phrabang, a city fulled of places to stay, I would find a reasonable place to live comfortably for a week or two. I couldn't believe my luck! The first hotel I asked, went to look at the room (big bathroom ensuited, nice King size bed, 2 towels, safe surrounding…good location, moreover, very cheap laundry service, what can you ask more?) and found out that it costs only 200 Baht per night. Perhaps it's the cheapest place I've ever been in life…
The people who worked there spoke Laos with me…I spoke back. Don't underestimate the power of language, my Lao is getting better each day and I practiced it as much as I can. Now, people here think I am from Nongkai already. It's getting there, Ploi.
People from big cities would mesmerize by the quietness and humbleness of the town at first, but in the end, they would leave, saying that there's nothing to do more than eating, sleeping, and getting massage. It seemed like people here don't want to ask for anything more in order to increase their income based on tourism, no fancy supermarkets or department stores, no fancy restaurants, no decent cars or even no street lights! Nothing more, they are already contented with the lifestyle they have. They never wanted to become like Bangkok, where, they got so confused, polluted, and drained out of passion.
I realized that just being here, I got inspired so much. There are restaurants near Me Kong River that I can sit for days, writing and pondering about life. There are the places that I can observe the rural life and how people here live. There are many children and old people that I haven't photographed. There are some hidden market that sell cheap stuff that I haven't explored. There are routes that I've never been paddled on. There are people that I could become friends for life.
How to enjoy traveling with no plans
Apart from going to the morning market, sipping seven limes juice, taking photos of people, monks, children, workers, old grandmothers, dogs, and little babies, I began to realize something. Something that is hidden in all my photos.
The happiness of the people showed in each photo. Of course, they all knew about struggles, pains, and all the sufferings. But, what shined through all the faces was, the will to face life with passion and undying spirit.
I've never ran out of things to do here. There's always be a friend waiting around the corner. Just go and meet them. Talk in their language and if one looks closely in their life. It's all has some purposes…like the old massager I met at the Red Cross Foundation here.
Giving Back to the Society
The Red Cross Foundation here has an interesting idea. They opened a day spa consisted of traditional massage and herbal sauna services.
It has been a third day in Laung Phrabang already. I always feel inspired to wake up each day, knowing that something new will happen. Right.
