May 20 2010 Laosadas

What did I know about Laos before coming to know? A ver, pulling my broad culture: Did you know that Roland caught him hiding here, which always made me think it was very, far away ... I knew I was near Thailand (Nearby, we); that heat was tremendous and that its citizens had oriental features. Is, I admit, shame bullfighter looked, before starting the trip, What was its capital: Vientian (yes, now do you know how to you all. I ¡!)

And what I know today, two weeks after their paths cross, sweating their midday and everywhere stand to greet their men and women-smile? For important things. Be, eg, it is not true that the country is paralyzed after lunch siesta: it paralyzes the clock. No kidding. I had to get out of a stationery without taking the pen because the seller was passed out on the counter. He lowered his voice at the supermarket to not wake one who slept on the toilet paper. And in a mall photographed (shame to spoil me the camera) up to five traders ironing ear, one of them directly to the hammock lying at the entrance of the door ... He lacked the sign saying: "Do Not Disturb, I'm thinking ".

Be the Laotians to discuss them too lazy. Yesterday I parked a motorcycle he rented at the door of a bank ... The guard told me: "That does not, here ". Without question changed the bike and leaving site tells me Uncle: "You parked in the parking, 2.000 laws ". And I answer: "How? Not, no te voy payable ". And he says: “Ah, voucher, can continue, good morning ".

When my friend Ro is set to negotiate the prices of the guest house, winks them at home, takes them to a corner and they start making gestures of complicity, to laugh with them ... and leave us half price accommodation. I am convinced that they should think: Why roll now discuss these four bitches ... "

I also know that pink paint eggs, this activity has not yet ceased to amaze. And that bus tickets should include an extra because they are like tickets to see a documentary. Your going to do, eg, 300 km. Well, then on an average of five to 100, have an average of 15 stops. Start the bus, moving a bit, comes to a village and ... there it is: Bird Procession, consisting of eighteen young men and women who get on the bus at the same time waving a sort of cross that is a tree through a fried bird. And attention, the bird has a beak, eyes, pins, nails and hair is because he singed in the fire, but. I have a mad desire to see someone buy a bird of these and put to eat as if nothing. I do not want.

There is also the Monk Procession. In this land you escape it, as Ro, pretend to be in a coma when the boys come claiming money for Buddhist teachers in exchange for a pin with a green piece of cloth above do not ever take off, to offend. To me these always catch me, but the truth is that not much resistance opposed: very romantic encounter that of respecting both monks among all be fed. I read somewhere, in fact, that when the communist regime came to power, began a campaign to convince the public that the tenants of the temples, if they wanted food, you get to work the garden, like all. Apparently the left to see how your assessment fell between citizens.

In Laos, general, Argentine psychologist would die of starvation, prozac and seller would have to migrate to Australia. And do not think, not for a moment, that with everything I have said I have tried this people taunt. This text is only a caricature sympathetic things done in places as remote and quaint to us. But think: What would they say if take her to a procession of our, and fifty types seen leaving the back by moving a giant chariot with an image of (pardon me) a man with a beard hanging on a cross? Or if I asked you to to jump the fence to touch the Virgin del Rocio?

Actually, should learn many, as you know the Lao, the bajar speeds, that life happens without us noticing ...

PD: Today I know the names of many more cities in Laos, and have lived wonderful moments on this earth, among other things thanks to the boundless hospitality of its people. Soon I will tell. Si volvéis. Hugs