April 04, 2002
Laos, No Lao
My last evening in Lao and finally I've abandon the term "Laos" for the more appropriate term "Lao" or "Lao PDR" (Peoples Democratic Republic). I'll try to refrain from talking about bombs this time, although we did see some curious boats in eastern Lao made from discarded B52 Bomber fuel tanks.
I guess I'm not sure what I should write about. I guess I'll discuss my trip through the local market here in the border town of Lak Sao. The market was amazing and typical. It was definitely the most populous and diverse market I've seen in Lao, providing several Kodak moments. Whether it was the live iguana, live frogs with broken legs, or the now mundane rats, it was and excellent look at how commerce in Lao happens and an excellent look at the odd things that are (or can be) eaten in Southeast Asia.
That said, my memories of the market are not of unusual carcasses or exotic reptiles, I will probably remember one thing. I will remember the feeling that I was some type of humorous, tall monster walking through the masses. The people of this market more than all others made me feel alien. Whether it was the constant muttered "falongs" or the laughing, whether it was the forced waving children or the shyness of the less experienced, this market more than all others looked upon me as a westerner, a falong, an outsider. Certainly many smiled in response to my smile, but many more looked perplexed or worse looked at me menacingly. Today was the first time I felt like I was invading this countries' privacy, trespassing, unwelcome. My guess is that I'm typically over-sensitive and misreading the situation, but who could blame them? And, now it's on to Vietnam?