this will be quick update as it has been days and not remembering much. Laos is quite rural and even more so then thailand was. the main hiway is two lane road with no shoulder not easy riding at some times. with much traffic. though when not alot and between towns is peaceful and beautiful.
people have been very friendly. alot less english. towns even ones listed on the map which would indicate they are larger or if listed on milage markers, ended up more often being very small anyway. generally no pavement off the main hiway. passing schools is often a riot of childern screaming saibadee or even hello. erupting from doorways and across play fields. these are the smaller childern, older ones more reserved.
first few days difficult to know how far to any where. as posts rotating between larger, far away city/towns and sometimes the smallere but some distinction towns ahead of us. so can't keep track of miles to next place. in enjoyable to stay in a small place. Over night wander about and see life as its lived in daily rural Laos.
rained couple days more one then another. enabled me to purchase sturdy rain cape. will likely never have to use again. has been chilly mornings. but warms in after noon. the hills have been at bay over to the east. i want very much to come back some day and do the famous 'loop', via moto. goes up around into the mts. layers and layers ofsmall peaks and rivers wnding throughout. caves in abundance. so much unexplored . met canadian geologist, mineral exploration, hmmm, any way gets go to exploring and said how fantastic it is.
are now in a town on river, old french influences. aging buildings some repaired and traveler guest houses. some few upscale ones as well. ok till later then
