Laos

LAOS - the most bombed country on the planet.

During the Vietnam War, while we were trying to beat an invisible enemy named "Charlie," we bombed the Ho Chi Minh trail without stopping for a breath. The HCM Trail ran through eastern Laos and the number of bombs we threw earthward was the equivalent of dropping 1 bomb every 8 minutes for 9 years... I would rather build schools.

We did not spend a lot of time in Laos, but I wish we would have. It is not as touristically (I think I just made up a new word) savvy and not as popular as Vietnam, its kind of like that mellow middle child who quietly observes while the older brother and youngest sister hog the spotlight. Laos has such a horrifying history, but as our 24 hour bus ride wound through the mountains to the Mekong River we saw families living simply and happily. The Lao people offer a genuine smile and the monks wear the brightest orange robes. It is kind of an addicting place to be. One of our travel books said that Vientiane is the "sleepiest capitol on earth." That is the truth. You gotta love sipping iced coffee (its not as good as yours Mom...) along the Mekong as teenage kids play soccer in the park as the sun sinks low.

- m -