Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Chiang Mai. Tuk tuk with the group to the border-crossing station. Crossed the Mekong River to Laos. Visa paperwork. Tuk tuk to the wharf. Boarded a long tail boat, began traveling downstream. Stopped at a small Laotian village, observed how they live. Back on the boat. Nap. Lunch on the boat. Nap. Arrived in Pakbeng, it is customary to pay young boys about 8000 kip to carry bags up the hill to the hotel. Checked in. The group walked up the hill to explore Ban Pakbeng. Dinner with the group at an Indian and Lao restaurant. Back to the hotel. Anna, Manuela, Lee, Richard, and I sat on the hotel's patio discussing philosophy and relationships. Clouds repeatedly revealed and hid the full moon on this warm night with essentially no breeze. I started getting a mild sore throat this evening.