Well, to start off the trip from Vang Vieng to Vientiane... our bus was to be a 3 hour ride. It was half an hour late and had a bad engine. so we pulled over maybe 3 times each time about 20 mins or so) because it was overheating. so we get about half way and the bus driver pulls over again.. but this time just takes off. doesnt say anything to us... just leaves. so a few of the people get off the bus and go see what's going on. apparently, the bridge up ahead has a working truck stuck in the middle of it... not only stuck but it has caused the bridge to start collapsing on one side. so to say the least... they aren't letting anyone across. on our side of the bridge the people are trying to go to Vientiane.. on the other side. they are are going to Vang Vieng.. so it takes us abour 30 mins to talk our bus driver into letting us swap with the people on the other side. so after a couple hours.. we finally get going (yes we all walked across this collapsing bridge with all our bags)

So now we are all thinking... sweet... at least this bus has a better engine. But of course... they pack on to many people.. people that weren't on our original bus... so all the seats are full and there are abut 8-10 people standing in the aisle. We drove for maybe 30 mins... and 2 men on motobikes had crashed into each other. both bikes lay in the middle of the road.. completely destroyed. One man... whos legs were just completely bloodied and ruined.. layed in the middle of the street by the bikes... he was barely moving.. i could only hope he survived.. but most likely not. the other man, was thrown about 100 ft or so ahead. there were 2 men on either side of him... one kept picking up his arm and letting go... it would just drop... the other man kept checking his chest for a heartbeat.. then shook his head "no" to the others.

We all had quite a night. The entire bus ride ended up being 8 or 9 hours.

Our group stayed in Vientiane for 2 nights... by far my favorite city now... but very expensive. Laos in general has been way too expensive... but definitely the prettiest country i've seen....but i am definitely ready to leave.

There are a few of us down here in Don Det now... one of the 4000 islands... we are surrounded by the Mekong River, hammocks and palm trees. Very chill and relaxed here. Luckily the rooms here are about $1.50 a night.. but everything else is completely over charged.

hope everyone is doing well... and thanks again for all your messages and comments =)