A cat is coming!

There's probably some quote out there talking about how an experience should be felt, and not retold. It's because when you retell an experience, certain qualities get lost through words. That's why I cannot tell you how wonderful my journey has been hugging all these mangy puppies! Many with fleas, a few with mud and feces. But I don't care, love is love. You dont abstain from loving a child just because it's covered in poop.

While we were in Dalat, we went to see a fortune teller who told us a lot of general information in combination with things we already know about ourselves. She also refuses to recognize that we are a couple even though the evidences were clear from her tellings and our demeanors. She did say that we are both in a very loving relationships (separate of each other) and that we balance our partners out very well. Also that weddings bells will sound next year for both of us. Hopefully its with each other. One of what she foretold was of an accident on motorbikes, that we should be cautious and not even drive one. Yea, the next week we were pretty cautious and did not rent a motorbike. But here in Laos, we are defiant. And let me say before we get scolded, It was the best decision we have made! And yes, we wear our helmets even though it messes up our hair and the law doesnt even require them.

In Luang Prabang, we evaded the $35pp tour that they were charging to bring us to Kuang Si water fall. Instead, we spent $15 for a motorbike and $2 worth of gas and we were on our own adventure. Thank you apple iPhone for the technology of a Map, we have found our ways everywhere....well maybe most of everywhere. We saw the waterfall, took scenic routes home, explored some unpaved roads, and just lose ourselves in the city and unmarked roads. We really put that bike to work!

Our next location was Vang Vieng, a location known for its party scene. We were forewarned, not by the fortune teller but from guide books and those that have been. When we got there, it was exactly like the first week of college. Frat boys...and girls hoot'in and holler'in, all dressed very scantily in beach gears and with stupid body paint. Our dinner options were to sit in a restaurants (more like a bar/shack thing on a beach) with either Friends or Family Guy playing on the jumbo screens. It was such a weird experience that I cannot capture here. All these kids (yes, very condescending of me) were chillaxin' from their exhausting day of tubing, kayaking, etc., and now they're just lounging around watching American tv, and really, the only TWO options were Friends and Family Guy. Of course, we chose the restaurant...and once again, it's more like a shack on a beach....with Friends.

In the morning, we once again rented a motorbike, this time for much cheaper than Luang Prabang, only about $5. We found the "Must sees" in Vang Vieng and saw them. And oh my god, what an amazing sigh we saw! First, we hiked for a good 25 mins up a vertical slope (and I mean VERTICAL!) to the top where there is a shack overlooking the beautiful landscapes. Out of breath and Jamie complaining about the heat, we sat for awhile to enjoy a view and later played a game of cards. We were the only two people there and once you get over your fear of height and the possibility of the wobbly shack giving out, you begin to see the wonders around you and gain an application of life. My thought at the moment was how wonderful my life is. I appreciated the people I have in my life, my accomplishments, my future accomplishments. I also gained insights for my new life back in the states while letting go of old stressors and general negative thoughts.

The next site in our path was some sort of cave which again we had to trek up a vertical slope. Luckily for us, it was only a 5 mins trek. Being the slightly fragile person that I can be, I was weary of the cave. You know, bugs, weird cave animals, and the general scaries of caves. It was said that you'd need a guide and the cave was going to be slippery and DARK! Being the cheapies that we were, we refused the $1 headlight offered and instead I used a small bike light, and Jamie with his iPhone. Again, I cannot describe to you how amazing, and sometimes scary this cave was. There were points of pitch darkness where all you could hear we're drips of water and Jamie making stupid clicking noises with his mouth. I swear, a homicide could happen there and the body would find a perfect place to hide. Eventually we could no longer see the red arrows directing us, for the laos locals cannot afford neon lighted arrows, and we were lost. I wasn't afraid one bit, but I can't say the same for Jamie. And still he was making stupid clicking noises, I don't know for what. The cave wasn't humongous, and with a bit of patience, we found saw natural light.

After the cave was the "blue lagoon" that was actually blue...well more turquoise to me. Maybe it's also a lagoon too, but I don't know exactly what a "lagoon" is. The water was clear and Jamie said it was very refreshing to swim in. I took his words for it and sat on the sideline cheering him on as he swung and plunged with the Germans. There were fish in this lagoon and they were all cornered nicely off to a corner for us to swim and play. Very polite fish they were. We then got lost on our way home, but eventually found it. Yes we get lost VERY often, but they're the funest part!

They don't really have road signs here, and when there are, they're written in squigglies. A lot of the roads are still dirt roads with lots of bumps and holes. The worst is when a big truck or any vehicle for that matter, passes by with you riding behind it in a dirt storm. You get use to breathing in the dirt and the orange tint on your hair, skin, and clothes become very flattering at the end of the day. Not so good for my allergy.

Current location: the capital of Laos, Vientiane. We can see Thailand from here!
Current mood: hung over from a wild night of partying and drinking where we made Laos friends!!! One of them was a mute "lady-boy."
Most memorable quote from last night: a cat is coming!
Happy thanksgiving lovelies we wish we are there to enjoy the food and festivities with you.