The Effects of Laos

[fishlocker]

They had one other that was ready but needed the epoxy sealing and paint. We struck a deal for 300usd as is. They would deliver it to us the next morning via a tow up river to the farm. Money exchanged and the beer Lao flowed. We rode our motorbikes home and the next morning it was delivered.

[fishlocker]

The boys hauled her out and went to work epoxying the seams.

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There she sits second from the bottom moored to a bamboo stake. This was after the epoxy cured and the paint inside and out dried for a few days.

[fishlocker]

A better pic. We christened her bpaa yai (big fish). Sorry my Laotian transliterations ohm coy. Yes I said it, sucks cock.

[grasshopper]

Can't green you again, Fish. Suffice to say I really appreciate the work you put into this thread. Encouraging me to throw caution to the winds and travel there on my Pat Malone.
Kinda wish I had a Laos g/f right now but what the hey!
Just do it! Right?

[Davis Knowlton]

^Plus one. Cool purchase!

[fishlocker]

Not a bad pic. It's the boys out in evening doing their thing. You can see the PVC for the farm irrigation system in the foreground. They are watering in the morning and in the evenings. The sisters amaze me with their work ethic. And when the sun sets they wash all that was harvested and place it in bunches into baskets to be transported off the farm to be sold at the fresh market the next day. Day after day.

[fishlocker]

Learn the lingo head to the market, search out someone with ambitions and a strong work ethic. Get to know them and their family. Wade into the water slowly ,carefully, there are stingrays in the Mekong.

One day at the market I was doing a ten hat deal. ( I like to buy hats and give them away because everyone loves a cool hat and I like to give stuff away as it makes me feel good.) Anyway I met the most beautiful girl working a stall with her mother. I commented on how beautiful she was and said surely she must be married. She blushed and replied that she was not married as she was waiting for the right guy. We chatted a bit and my conclusion was that if she found that guy he would be one lucky man.

[fishlocker]

They say there is nothing better than taking a kid fishing. To that I'd like to add go fly a kite.

On this day the wind was from the east and it just so happened I brought a kite and a fishing pole. Silly fish?

[fishlocker]

Not for me silly, for the tadpoles.

[fishlocker]

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Mama still working in the field. If you pay attention to some of these river shots you may notice just how fast they turn these fields over. I was not there for more than six weeks and I was impressed. It takes a lot of hand labor daily.

[fishlocker]

Note the power lines leading to the pumps at the rivers edge.

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I've had worse ways to end a day. Just think some day these kids will have to work for a living. You're only young once, might as well make it worth their while and hell It even gave me a smile.

[fishlocker]

These are a few of the hats I gave away. On this night it was somewhat cold and my electrician ,left, Sil right were freezing so the hats are good day and night. I left my baby to BIL ,center. Awww now I want to get off this box and go play. Maybe later.

[fishlocker]

Ok, the last kite pic. I thought it was kinda cool. When the wind blows like it was the boys tend not to run the boats.

[fishlocker]

The main market Downtown Pakse. This is where most people get their goods.

[fishlocker]

They got it like that. I guess that's why they call places like this "The Bazaar."

[fishlocker]

It was laid out kinda cool. The fish section, meats, veggies ect all had their places. Surrounded by shop houses selling just about anything.

Easy to find a tuck tuck or sidecar to take you wherever you want to go. I'll try to dig up a pick of the main entrance. There were money exchange places near the main entrance and they actually give you the daily rate. As I recall 830,000 kip per 100usd.

[fishlocker]

I bought carrots and things from here.

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This girl had the crabs. I was licking my fish lips. They were live crabs, no kiding.

[fishlocker]

Looks tasty. The crabs you pervs.

[fishlocker]

It was a bee hive abuzz with activity.