Catching Up Laos: Saved Two Dollars

My second to the last article for this series. Gonna have one more to publish soon. Spared to pay two dollars seems small to care about, but it was like hitting a jackpot actually. It was to be honest!

I had mentioned this scene once in my previous post – One’s Friendly Thought. There I was freaking out in silence about buying my rights. I had to pay 4 USD to get out and get in of the borders; and another $4 coming back. For sure, a lot were in the same boat. I wasn’t alone to feel this way.

We had different responses on the matter - some were so tolerant although they didn’t like the idea; some were loud enough to speak out their minds; some didn’t care at all and just paid; while I played safe not offending anyone although I totally disagree too. It served a lesson since I wasn’t told.

The next time around I set aside exact amounts for such spending. It was already anticipated I’d be facing the same process coming back to Cambodia. But a little change had happened (in my part) unexpectedly. I saved $2 and was spared to pay in Cambodia’s border. I was really overjoyed.

It’s really disappointing to give some money when you know it’s not supposed to be. No matter how hurtful it is to know, sometimes you just had to or else you’ll in trouble. And no matter how disturbing it may seem, I’ve learned my way – deal with it for awhile.

I figured out something though. When I saw citizens didn’t pay anything going in (to Cambodia), it gave me an idea immediately. But I had to speak the language to do that. I kindly asked the immigration officers to exempt me from paying since I am a volunteer in the country. They agreed after have asked me few questions about what I do. See!

I saved two dollars, but it wasn’t about the money – it’s about my right. I hate compromising things. I am entitled to have 21 -30 days visa in South East Asia as far as I am aware.

They spared me to pay two dollars, but it wasn’t about the amount – I feel respected and not violated.

All in all I should have paid $8, but I only paid $6 because I stood for my right in a nice way. Again it may seem a small thing, but for me it’s the beginning of a great change soon. And I will always remember this day.

Catching Up Laos: NO CITY TOUR HERE

Bumping into a foreigner for a little chat isn’t actually bizarre. I’d rather ask a stranger for a clue than ask a local who doesn’t speak English at all. 

“Did you city tour?” I asked.  

“You don’t wanna do that” he replied thoughtfully showing me his map for places to go.

Thought have just asked the dumbest question in my life. Well, it’s a yes and a no to that - no one would really book a city tour in Vientiane. It takes reading to find that out. And also the place isn’t that huge to explore on foot. But some countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia has this sort of travel around.

I don’t usually fancy a city tour but not when I am with friends. Another point is, in some cities there’s a lot of attractions that are too impossible to visit walking. So you need stuff (city tour) like this – but not in Vientiane.

As I said had city tour before and so had this assumption that every country in Asia caters this itinerary. So I looked around down town and asked several tourist companies but couldn’t find any. Not in this city.

It wasn’t exactly spinning around the capital for I can do it myself, but I was looking for an outskirt tour within the city. But again there is none like that here. I was surprised to know.

That’s when I learned that a day stay is enough. The only reason I stayed for two days more was to rest from that long awful bus ride. And I didn’t want to rush it although can’t wait to leave the city. Boredom was killing me to death.

A lot of foreigners never stay long in the city. But for people freaks of night life can actually stay, slowing it down having the real life of the city – but not me and to the rest that I met.   
  

Since there is no city tour here, I spent much of my time in the hotel and in the same places for two days. I may have had good memories to keep, but that’s not the reason to sweet-lemon the scenario. I like the city but I could not find any reason to go back. Who knows?

For people who are lazy to walk around, this city is not for you. It takes walking to see all these beautiful scenery. Bit if you got a lot of money to pay an expensive tuktuk, it’s a different thing then. 

Now I understand partly why there’s no such thing as city tour here – you just have to walk around patiently and with endurance to taste how it’s like. That’s F.Y.I.

Catching Up Laos: D.W.I. Trip

Flip a coin for a decision??? It may not be a good idea to do, but one always has a choice. It doesn’t matter which side it lands, the point is one has learned to exert a will to choose. Sad to say, it’s not always true to traveling scenarios. Sometimes or oftentimes, you’d find yourself stuck in a situation of no options.

What would you do then?

I’d say D.W.I.!

Since I was in a budget trip, there’s no way that I could fly. That’s one. I had to travel to Laos by land – a trip seemed like for eternity; 24 hours on board. So I prepared my self mentally, physically, and above all culturally. And no matter how prepared I thought was, I still suck - struggling. But I’ve learned to D.W.I. It helped.

Traveling from Phnom Penh to Pakse was no hassle. The fare was expensive though for such a ride. That’s two. Since there’s only one Bus Company (I’m familiar with) that organizes such trip, an alternative wasn’t a good idea. Of course, flying would cost a lot more. After all, it was me desperate going to see what this country tastes like. This gonna be the start of it (the D.W.I. trip) or else I will not be able to see Laos.

We arrived at the border like 3ish something, but then we weren’t informed by the conductor that we had to pay $2 USD for each border. That’s three. I wished I figured out myself. I wished one friend at least told me. Wow!

I’ve been traveling a lot crossing borders, but only in these borders where I have to buy my rights (SEATO, come on).  

“I think I’d be skipping meals here.” I cracked a joke to Singaporean students in the same bus with me. 

No one was happy about this entrance fee in fact. But a little tolerance is needed this time. Or I just had to remind my self of the new standard operating procedure – D.W.I. thing.  Or just wait how someone would address this issue in the future.

 

Whether a good idea or not (no idea anyway), I continued the journey to Vientiane via sleep-over bus. I booked my ticket at the same Bus Company. In case the bus delays, they’d wait for me and the others for sure. Well, we arrived one and half hours before the departure. So I had time to fill my hungry tummy. But it took me a long time to decide what to eat. That’s four. For few reasons – I don’t speak the language at all, and so the vendors don't speak English; I wasn’t sure how safe these street foods were, but had to try to know; also the conductor wasn’t accommodating enough to a stranger, had to do it my own. It was another D.W.I. scenario.

I had my ticket in my hand with hopes I could rest well while traveling at night. It was just a sleep a way I thought. After all, it’s a VIP Bus. Well, it’s another story. That’s five. I was not in the right perspective to contest their definition of a VIP. That’s when I learned aboard that I’d be sharing a tiny bed with the person I don’t know at all. Thank God, he was not the guy one wouldn’t want to know. Plus the beddings really stink, unwashed. As if I had a choice except for this D.W.I. motto that popped out along the way.

I was sleeping near this University student speechless, and all but gestures. “This wont last long” I said, but it was like sleeping there for ages. The funniest thing was I ended up embracing my backpack asleep till the break of dawn. It was kind of embarrassing indeed, but I didn’t want to cry regretting. Better safe than sorry. 

I could have taken a real VIP one if have known how. But the Cambodian guy I met in the same trip wasn’t kind to help. That’s six. He has been traveling this route for countless times, so he knows this stuff. He speaks English well; He knew I am serving his country; he was obviously aware this first-timer needed a little assistance (simply telling which company), but he was so selfishly arrogant. Even a pen, he could not lend a stranger. He is not the typical Khmer I know. A choice is a choice and I respect his heart. That’s when I had to remind my self again of this .D.W.I. thing of mine.

For the first time in a long day got accurate information arriving at exact time. We did, but another crazy scenario filled in to annoy my day. That’s seven. What a city welcome! The bus doesn’t actually stop in the city itself. There were three possible ways though – take the Southern Bus to the central market along Lane Xang Avenue (for 5000 kip or 50 cents) or take a tuktuk alone (which will cost you a lot) or a take a tuktuk with other people heading the same direction (costs 15000 kip or $2). Be friendly enough and pray hard that God would send you an angel to find your way.

Wasn’t it annoying? You already have paid a lot of money with a not worth it VIP ride, then you have to pay again and travel more a bit. These are small things companies don’t tell their visitors. As if every stranger has a clue of what’s going on. Duh, D.W.I.!

Staying longer in Vientiane wasn’t a good idea (for me). I got so bored – there was nothing much to do or nowhere else to go. I didn’t want to stick more so I decided to go back to Pakse (Southern Laos, biggest city). Since I’ve learned my lesson coming, I was careful this time to book a real VIP sleep-over bus that would take me back closer to Cambodian border. I thought I did, but it turned out hell. That’s eight. OK, I had to D.W.I. again.

Pick up time was 7pm, but I was there an hour before that together with a Swiss journalist. Then the small pick-up car arrived and picked all the passengers in the list. It took a city tour to pick all of us. And when I got there, I almost freaked out. I had the worst bus of my life – the bed was smaller for two persons; the air condition didn’t work well that even locals wasn’t pleased with the standard; the slowest bus in the entire world that I missed the bus to Phnom Penh. 

Then I had to stay in Pakse for another day. So I checked in at one guesthouse. It wasn’t worth paying the price – expensive but unpleasantly dirty. That’s nine. And when I took a shower, the water ran out that I could not even finish my thing. Good I didn’t use bath soap yet. It took hours to come back. I just accepted the fact that it was another D.W.I. situation to anticipate.  

Again, it was another boring stop over. The worst was I could not even find a place to eat. That’s ten. So I ended up having a city walk hungry and really tired. When I could not stand the hunger anymore, I went back to the guesthouse. Thank goodness, I found a small store nearby. But I ended up eating lunch really late, and was eating the same food I had the first night I arrived.  

This is what I said a point of no options. All I had to do was remind my self to deal with it (D.W.I.) every now and then. But don’t want to deny the fact that I could not wait to have this trip over. I wasn’t that jumping for the trip. Who would have anyway?  

CATCHING UP LAOS: One's Friendly Thought

They better read this one – in case destiny will lead them to Laos.

I better write it down – nothing… just a piece of care.

People are so busy and don’t have much time telling every detail of their experience. What can we expect? Trip is a trip and you’re always on your own. You just have to find your way - many times, the hardest way.

I could have said “That’s all, and I’m done!” to sum up this recent trip. Or simply leave it to my self. Who cares? But I am not that kind of person. That’s why I am destined to subscribe a blog. So give some time to read this article.

When I finally decided to pack my bag, I had all these strangest emotions one could feel. It was actually normal to feel that way for someone heading to this country alone. And I wasn’t in a group or with someone familiar to this place.

So I did everything I should have done – searched in the internet; googled information; read traveler’s feedback; interacted a forum through blog; and even asked friends about Laos, yet didn’t get much answers. Not even the bus company could give exact details. There I was taking all the risks and the worst I could possibly expect.

Thank God I did, and it was another story to tell. I wasn’t that jumping actually – let’s say nothing much happened. It was an adventure not so worth traveling long, and spending a lot of money by air. And also I wasted a lot of times riding a sleep-over bus, and all I could see is darkness outside.

Frantically speaking, it was such a trip I will not do again. For whatever reasons I have, you have to email me to get a separate, sensitive article. I’ve wrote one.

And oh, I’m not the man of the world for such a thing, but willing enough to share my heart out on this. For you to avail this write up on  ONE'S FRIENDLY THOUGHT, you have to sms me if possible or email me if you have my add (referring to friends) or message me on facebook or leave a comment on this blog with your mail add.

Thanks!

ONCE A LITTLE GIRL, NOW A DEBUTANTE

If only had another chance and another dance with her, I’d be delighted to move a step. It would be a pleasure then to rejoice with her on such Big Day – from simply Jirah to a graceful lady. She was once I’ve known a little girl, but now so grown up in God’s loving way.

Been out from this seemingly boring Facebook for few days, thank God, something came up on my return – the one I shouldn’t miss and should really look forward to. A “yes” wasn’t actually my initial reaction, it was more than that…so honored having been invited to this Great Day. I truly do!

In one unbelievable invitation a way, I couldn’t help but thank God for the many memories with this debutante. I thought I was already forgotten, but I was wrong. Now felt privileged as one of the many witnesses on this special journey God is showering her. I couldn’t even believe it myself how time flew by so quickly. 

That’s when I was reminded of her younger years – a home schooled girl yet so obedient to her home works. I bet she enjoyed learning at the feet of her teachers. So glad was one of them.

That’s when I was led back then to reminisce her childhood days - so happy little girl; so matured at her age (of course, the mother’s character in her overshadows still, just kidding!). She was very friendly and accommodating; a young servant of the Master.

That’s when old memories with her flashed back for the first time in a long while. Funny it seemed, but she was my captive audience who easily cracked up even with simple jokes.  There was one long forgotten joke, and when I saw her again after years, she still remembered and reminded me again (I AM SO VERY EXCITEMENT - laughing out loud). Wow! That’s why she was simply Jirah.

That’s also when I had to open the hidden box filled with unforgettable stories. Now I have so much to mention but it will take for ages telling all. I’ll only retell few things. This will help look back her olden days before becoming what she is now. And thank God for such supportive and loving parents. Not to mention the warm embrace of extended families and friends around her.

Tito Popoy: Hello. May I speak with Kuya Nilo?

Little Jirah: Hello. Ok. Excuse me, May I know who is calling? Hold on!

It was a dialogue one mind would ask. How come she has that American accent and I don’t? I have been learning English my entire life. That’s why I really loved conversing with her. Felt like was in with this accent wished I had. And she had it.

Tito Popoy: Jirah, I want to speak with my Vitnamese friend. Can you call him for me and tell him that… 

Little Jirah: Ok! (dialed the phone). @#$%^&***&^%$#*&^%$#@@#$%^. Ok na daw po,tito.

Tito Popoy: (Speechless)

She was the youngest linguist I’ve ever seen. Her life example in speaking languages encouraged me twisting tongues. It was like the intimidating contender in reality show yet admired by many. She was very gifted in this area. So Tito Popoy had to work hard. She was actually my small teacher in Vietnamese when I started learning (Oooops, you can’t beat me now, lol). She majored these languages at young age that only native speakers unthreatened. But I took it an opportunity to learn in her presence. It was always an honor having her around. Love to hear some Afghanistan words one day – fresh from her.

Oh, it’s been raining hard today. This would remind her for sure of the song (ULAN) when she just started learning technical singing. Not to forget those awesome performances during her own recital – SIMPLY JIRAH. Honestly, no one more honored than I (well, aside from her parents in the first place).

I visited her wall on facebook once in a while, and it was always a joy seeing her grow in the knowledge of the Father, her Creator. It’s because she has been nurtured well – from an obedient girl to a God-fearing woman. Look at her now.

Let me sing this old chorus to celebrate with the debutante: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, I WISH YOU THE BEST; AS YOU TRAVEL LIFE'S ROAD DON’T FORGET THE REST HO LOVES YOU SO. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE, MAY YOU BE THE HAPPIEST PERSON TODAY.

By the way, a million thanks for the invitation. The last dance I actually had with a debutante was twelve years ago. So touched when asked to dance again for this one anticipated occasion. I wish had feathers to fly. So sorry that I couldn’t dance with her or render her a song.  But my heart is on this for real. She has my two thumbs up for this amazing celebration of her life.

God bless and have a great one!