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On this 6 to 7 hour journey through Laos from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng i went through many different emotions.
We were traveling in a 12 person mini van that really wasn't equipped for 12. It was at full capacity and was loaded with everyone's backpacks on the roof. Phase 1 - hot and bothered! Me and Kirstie were squished in the the back corner where the air con didn't reach us. It was extremely hot and stuffy and you couldn't move an inch. The van only moves at 10 miles an hour up the hills and you could here the engine struggling. Phase 2 - the come down! It clouded over and as we climbed higher the temperature dropped and it started to cool down and people were falling asleep or eating snacks. Phase 3 - intrigue and learning! As we winded around the mountain roads the views were incredible the country looked so beautiful. We passed so many little villages and this is what I saw: a whole community bathing under the same water point. a boy of probably only 5 years old chopping vegetables with a huge knife by the side of the road. A mum bathing her baby in a bucket outside. A cow laying in the middle of the road. Children playing with rocks, sticks and plastic bottles who appeared to be having great fun. Men building and fixing their own homes. It really opens your eyes and makes you realise that when you think your having a bad day, you shouldn't really be complaining at all. Phase 4 - fear & anticipation! All of a sudden as we were winding back down the mountains the heavens opened and so the torrential down pour came. It was like we had gone into a black hole and wasn't coming out! It went pitch black and was thunder and lightening for several hours. It was really loud the lightening happend every 30 seconds or so. It was a major tropical storm. The roads were slippery and the driver didn't know how to use his blowers right and it kept steaming up. One guy in the front row had to do it for him. Between the steam, rain and blackness I don't know how he stayed on the road. Phase 5 - losing the will (as Kirstie said) it just kept going on for ever and we just couldn't see an end to this road..... Finally we arrived at the bus station our bags were wet even with the cover on and we had to then get in another taxi to our hotel! It was definitely an interesting and eventful journey that's for sure.
Xoxo
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