why is it that the capital feels the most third world?

(Picture: I was loopy even before the night bus...)

We took a night bus from Luang Prabang to the capital of Laos, Vientienne. I knew when they started to pass out plastic vomit bags to everyone that I was in trouble. The ride was long, slow, freezing and filled with, you guess it: vomit. I've never been closer to homicidal. When we finally arrived at 5 in the morning, our tuk tuk driver tried to switch our previously agreed upon price and I was glad that many english insults did not translate, because I was not a happy camper. Sarah had been sick on the bus and the sickness stayed with her all day long, so we decided to spend the day and night in Vientienne instead of taking another night bus (which I think was a huge blessing in disguise).

We met an Australian girl named Georgie first thing in the morning and quickly decided to be good friends and come visit each other in our respective countries in the semi near future...semi near meaning any time in the future.

We walked around all day, avoiding open sewer holes, and all the parts in the street where the street should've been, but simply just wasn't...I'll avoid the complaints but this has not been the nicest place to visit. The company was excellent and we actually ran into Stu and Lu our friends from Nong Khio, but otherwise its hard to believe but I will be happy to get on another night bus tonight and journey onwards to Si Phon Don to see the pink dolphins and swing in hammocks and bicycle from sand bar to sand bar.