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Laos trip report

somtam2000

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mahout
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I've just done a short writeup on my short Laos trip over on the Travelfish blog (I posted it there 'cause easier to post lots of pretty pics there) You can read the full writeup here:
http://blog.travelfish.org/2010/03/11/on-travelling-in-laos/

All comments, as always, appreciated!

#1 Posted: 11/3/2010 - 15:49

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christay2009

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Great trip report, has given me some good ideas! Thanks

#2 Posted: 11/3/2010 - 19:51
christay2009

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p.s.

I totally agree about trying to learn about of Lao. I really mean just a tiny bit; at first i just knew 'hello' then learnt 'see you later', i then added 'how much' to the mix but realised its no good asking how much in Lao but not learn the numbers! I thought i had a good grasp of numbers after a 7 hour bus journey where i just spent some of my time memorising 1 to 10. At one point we were in a restaurant with no spoken English or menu and i remember 'chicken' and 'sticky rice' so just said that...worked out pretty well! Essentially i knew about 15 words in Lao but it helped quite alot

#3 Posted: 11/3/2010 - 20:16
somtam2000

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mahout
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If you left with 15 words then that is 14 more than many travellers!

While obviously if you have a PhD in Lao you'll get more out of a trip, I think the important thing is "making the effort" to at least try to learn a bit of the local lingo (this holds for any country). It doesn't matter how much you bang up the tones, at the end of the day you'll be seen in a more appreciative light than those who just don't bother.

Glad you liked the post - thanks :)

#4 Posted: 11/3/2010 - 20:27

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iPhone Apps for Southeast Asia
christay2009

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oh yeah, definately, i got many a smile from Lao market stall holders when i pulled out afew words! none more so than in Vang Vieng at the stalls near the hospital - i can't imagine many bother in that town

I also made many a coffee lady laugh when i said what the lonely planet phrasebook says is 'Hot Lao Coffee' which i think translates literally as 'coffee hot water'. I presume no one says it like that. I had 4 ladies in stitches for about 10 minutes in Luang Nam Tha.

Anyway, glad you had a good time despite the trouble. Over and out.

#5 Posted: 11/3/2010 - 20:46
swag

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great report thanks for the info
regards

#6 Posted: 12/3/2010 - 06:08
fondo

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Yep.

Having shocking language skills and not being ashamed to show it is fantastic for breaking the ice!

#7 Posted: 12/3/2010 - 09:18
MADMAC

mahout
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I've said it many times... language is culture.

#8 Posted: 16/3/2010 - 21:24

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apriljune

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Posts: 13

all of the report are good.
great message in here.

#9 Posted: 4/6/2010 - 15:39
JourneymanT-
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motodop
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Nice report. Thank you. I loved Laos - I found the people friendly and welcoming and a small effort with the language reaped huge rewards.

#10 Posted: 2/7/2010 - 23:53

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andrea13

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Such a good report! I like your photos as well. Thanks

#11 Posted: 27/7/2010 - 22:58
renrendiaz

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That was a great report that giving lot of ideas in going to Laos.The photos as well.You don't have any videos?

#12 Posted: 28/8/2010 - 21:41
renrendiaz

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Posts: 18

That was a great report that giving lot of ideas in going to Laos.The photos as well.You don't have any videos?

#13 Posted: 28/8/2010 - 21:42