Day 321 - UXO (unexploded ordnance) LAO center in Luang Prabang
Friday, May 24th, 2019
Today I had the Laos breakfast of noodle soup with eggs. Besides that, I got a fresh mango juice (probably from the tree outside) and coffee. We love our hotel, it is so cozy and nice that we decided to stay yet another day.
After breakfast, we borrowed the bicycles and we went to visit the UXO (unexploded ordnance) LAO Center. The place is a small exhibit with grenades, mortars, bombies (cluster bombs), and posters giving information about how Laos was a battlefield during the Second Indochina War aka the Vietnam war. We also watched a small film about the life of four young people who were injured by bombs, 40 years after the war.
Today I had the Laos breakfast of noodle soup with eggs. Besides that, I got a fresh mango juice (probably from the tree outside) and coffee. We love our hotel, it is so cozy and nice that we decided to stay yet another day.
After breakfast, we borrowed the bicycles and we went to visit the UXO (unexploded ordnance) LAO Center. The place is a small exhibit with grenades, mortars, bombies (cluster bombs), and posters giving information about how Laos was a battlefield during the Second Indochina War aka the Vietnam war. We also watched a small film about the life of four young people who were injured by bombs, 40 years after the war.
Even now, about 300 people a year get killed or maimed due to these explosive devices that are still in the land, fields, and water. To me what was shocking was to see that they have to go to remote villages and educate people, especially children, about the danger of explosives. It is so sad to learn that because of some stupid war, the people in Laos are still suffering and for what?
Another sad fact that we learned is that children and adults find these explosives because they are looking for scrap metal -- they can sell it for more money than they make farming. They showed how some people buy a metal detector and look with many terrible consequences.
I’m happy we came because it was an eye-opening experience for Daniel and Sunshine, and even for myself who didn’t know this was still going on in many places in Laos. (Also Cambodia).
We couldn’t leave when we were done because we couldn’t unlock our bikes. The key would just not open the lock. I finally went to ask for help in the office which was closed for lunch. A lady came to help but she couldn’t open the lock either. We asked if she could call the hotel. A few minutes later, the hotel manager came on his motorcycle and tried the key. He left to get some oil and that still didn’t work, later he came back and cut the lock. Finally, we were able to leave. On the other hand, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to leave since it was so darn hot outside.
We grabbed our bikes and we rode across the river on a wooden bridge. No cars allowed on this one. We crossed and then we stopped because I had no idea what we were doing on the other side of the river. There was nothing special on the other side. It was just a quiet village.
Another sad fact that we learned is that children and adults find these explosives because they are looking for scrap metal -- they can sell it for more money than they make farming. They showed how some people buy a metal detector and look with many terrible consequences.
I’m happy we came because it was an eye-opening experience for Daniel and Sunshine, and even for myself who didn’t know this was still going on in many places in Laos. (Also Cambodia).
We couldn’t leave when we were done because we couldn’t unlock our bikes. The key would just not open the lock. I finally went to ask for help in the office which was closed for lunch. A lady came to help but she couldn’t open the lock either. We asked if she could call the hotel. A few minutes later, the hotel manager came on his motorcycle and tried the key. He left to get some oil and that still didn’t work, later he came back and cut the lock. Finally, we were able to leave. On the other hand, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to leave since it was so darn hot outside.
We grabbed our bikes and we rode across the river on a wooden bridge. No cars allowed on this one. We crossed and then we stopped because I had no idea what we were doing on the other side of the river. There was nothing special on the other side. It was just a quiet village.
We rode to a store called Weaving Sisters but they were closed. We walked to a nearby store and had a drink but it was so hot, that we decided to go back to our hotel. I think the temperature must have been 100 degrees F (37 C)! We crossed back over the river, made it to our hotel and got in the shower with cold water! I now understand why people nap and close business at the hottest hours of the day. It is impossible to be outside and really, you mostly see tourists walking outside, not locals. [Gregory's note: the locals ride motorbikes. If they walk, they carry sunbrellas, umbrellas lined for the sun.]
At the hotel we rested until the sun went down then, only then, we dared to go out. We walked by the river looking for a place to eat. We had a nice dinner of chicken green curry and yellow curry and the traditional dish, larp (also spelled laal or laap), which is minced chicken seasoned with chili and other spices. After dinner, we went back to the night market to buy more bamboo straws as presents. An ecological souvenir for everyone. That’s another problem Laos will have to face, it is incredible the amount of plastic they waste every day!
Another great day in paradise!
At the hotel we rested until the sun went down then, only then, we dared to go out. We walked by the river looking for a place to eat. We had a nice dinner of chicken green curry and yellow curry and the traditional dish, larp (also spelled laal or laap), which is minced chicken seasoned with chili and other spices. After dinner, we went back to the night market to buy more bamboo straws as presents. An ecological souvenir for everyone. That’s another problem Laos will have to face, it is incredible the amount of plastic they waste every day!
Another great day in paradise!
For pictures please click here
https://photos.app.goo.gl/y4PT5poEjQbvBgVVA
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