As many of you know, or would have surmised, Seng's nationality is not "American". No, it's not Taiwanese, Chinese, Cambodian or Filipino. Seng was born in Laos and lived there until the age of 6, barely escaping with her life. Laos, more so at that time ( 70's, early 80's) is a communist country and during that period, those that did not support the government ended up in prison camps, aka "re-education camps" including her father, who was captured after a plane crash while "unofficially" working for the US air force. While in prison, he managed to plan and accomplish an escape from this camp and the country with his family. In doing so they spent many days traveling barefoot and hungry while several times coming in direct contact with Laos military and providing them with false paperwork, which, lucky for them, worked. Did we mention that Seng was pulled from a hospital with an unknown sickness for this plot to work?
Seng has grandp
arents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins in Laos, most of whom she does not remember. She has always embraced her culture, is fluent in the language, and is extremely talented in the culinary arts of the area. It is the perfect time in our life to go on this adventure and meet her extended family and experience the culture, along with her parents who brought her from there for a better life. Seng's parents, Ted and Chan, (see above) have gone back to Laos as recently as 4-5 years ago and therefore we are putting our 1oo% trust in them for the Laotian portion of this trip. It will, undoubtedly be the most realistic, cultural, non-touristy vacation experience of our lifetime. There are no po
pular vacation spots in this landlocked country. The main water source is the MeKong river (click on left photo). If you look it up, Laos has the distinction of being the most bombed country in the world, mostly because of it's close involvement with the Vietnam conflict and the Ho Chi Minh trail http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho_Chi_Minh_Trail going right through it. This country is very poor and "third world". In fact, we are bringing with us 8 full suitcases(2 per person), filled to the maximum limit of 50lbs with clothes/hand me down items from our lives here in the US to give to the people in Laos. Our personal clothes, etc will be in our "carry on's". In this country our 1 dollar equals approximately 8800 Laos "kip" and goes a long way even coming from this poor economy. At some point in our Laos travels, we do anticipate sleeping in mosquito nets, with no AC in 85 degrees(F), no running water, or traditional toilets. We have all had vaccines for Typhus, Hepatitis A, B, Tetanus Booster, and will be taking Malaria pills. We will also have with us antibiotics in case of "Montezuma's revenge". Roger anticipates having people stare at him and flocks of children following the white giant around but already knows that the Laos people are very loving and and accepting. Roger can count and understand very basic phrases in Laotian language but is thankful for Seng and her parents presence!The Thailand portion of this trip is planned by Roger and Seng and is occurring for no other reason than we cannot be that close to Thailand and not go there!!! Seng also has family in the Chiang Rai area. The currency there is the Thai "baht". Currently, 1 USD= approx 35 baht. While we will not be living in luxury, we anticipate a greater internet access, traditional, showers, better transportation, less risky food, and just a general greater sense of normalcy while still quite far from it. We have decided not to plant ourselves on a beach in Phuket, etc as we can see beaches just as beautiful anywhere in the Caribbean and some places in the US. We will be concentrating more in northern Thailand on history, culture, fun, and food, while trying to avoid tourist traps.
Welcome to Roger and Seng's blog! We barely know what blogging is, how to blog, what one looks like, and definitely have never tried to do so. That being said, don't expect too much but after encouragement from many we have decided to attempt to blog our way through parts of Laos and Thailand while traveling between the dates of February 9th, 2009 and March 5th, 2009. Hopefully we will be able to post a few pictures along the way and share some of our thoughts and experiences while traveling through these areas so you losers at work can live vicariously through us. The time and date posted on these entries will be the time and date in Laos which is 12 hours ahead of Eastern US time. Feel free to "join" the blog, make comments, or whatever else this thing will let you do. Warning, this blog is at risk to be poorly attended to by us d/t lack of access, time constraints, and maybe even laziness! lol. We hope it turns out well.