Life in Laos now (8 photos)

The golden triangle where the borders of three countries converge (Thailand, Laos and Burma) is one of the most famous and promoted sights of Southeast Asia.





There used to be opium poppy plantations in this region, so the second (unofficial, of course) name is the Opium Triangle. AT last century there were wars between mafia groups, and the drug was distributed all over the world. This was the case until the 1990s, when the armies Burma, Thailand and Laos did not destroy the syndicate.



Crowds of tourists are brought to the junction of the borders of three countries so that they admiring the views, boating. You can even visit two museums opium, on the territory of one of them there is even a small opium plantation. Thailand has already been studied by tourists far and wide, but Burma and Laos is not so popular.





Laos visa can be bought for $40 (per month) directly on the border. Russians can stay in the country without a visa until 30 days. Laos is the same Thailand, only many times worse and poorer. But in it has its own charm.



The roads are broken, there is asphalt only between large cities, in villages are ordinary lanes. Bridges on the rivers sway, ride on them just dangerous. Locals live in houses on stilts, as they periodically floods happen. They sleep in a bunch, and cook on fires.

Almost no one speaks English there. General illiteracy of the Laotians is approximately 20%. It's funny that in Laos, the former French colony, many inscriptions on public institutions dubbed in French. But the locals don't speak French. generally.



The Laotians are much slower than their Thai neighbors. They really want good do the job, but do it with feeling, with sense, with arrangement. So leisurely, that it seems that they, being poor, to the money indifferent.

But at the same time they are very friendly and welcoming to tourists. If traveler, some problems happen - they will always come to the rescue and more often refuse money. Here, unlike in many poor countries, there is no unspoken tradition to deceive vacationers. Yes, and crime missing.



In the Thai, Lao and Burmese parts of the Golden Triangle, many monasteries and monks. However, in Laos there is an interesting feature, the novices there are mostly children, and they do not follow much rules. They can, for example, smoke.

At such monasteries there are schools where novices teach how to theological subjects as well as secular ones. Probably boys in Laos sent to a monastery just to feed him and give him a basic education.



Also in the Lao part of the Golden Triangle there is entertainment in addition to views, sunsets and temples. In the free economic zone, the Chinese mafia set up a village with chic hotels, casinos, restaurants and brothels.

There are practically no Laotians among clients, tourists are mainly from Thailand and China.



Laos is not for all tourists, it is for those who love relaxation more interesting. Here you can both immerse yourself in local life, relaxing in small villages and mountains, how to have fun in the casino and restaurants. To each his own.