village life

Lao people are shy and reserved- take a drive two hours out of laid back little Luang Prabang and this is still true. Life in the dusty villages is very quiet and the people are obviously have very limited means- Laos is one of the poorest nations on earth. However, unlike other parts of Asia, they do not ask you for money and they live with quiet dignity in spite of the lack of basic resources like electricity, sanitation and running water. I did not see any beggars. They seem to be enterprising and many women at home embroider by hand- pieces of fabric to sell which the women wear as sarongs. They sell for relatively low prices considering the many hours of work that go into making them. Rural villages don't have schools - young children were playing happily together outside in the dusty outdoor areas.

The other Side

Booking a tour or cycling trip are some of the more popular things to do in Luang Prabang. I intended to see some of the villages, however I thought it might be interesting to explore by foot first. I was told that there were a few weaving workshops nearby. A bamboo foot bridge was the shortcut to a narrow dirt road which followed the river. I walked for about an hour - passing a woodcarver working on furniture outside a house on the way.

Wondering if I was ever going to get there as it was getting very hot and dusty, I finally saw the first of several workshops housing the weavers and their wares. Of course everyone wants you to go to their shop, and it is difficult to tactfully leave without buying! I settled on two runners from the last shop along the road, where a gorgeous rooster patrolled - one silk and one cotton woven in the traditional Lao style.