The countries of South East Asia share a time of year rich in traditional celebrations and time-honored festivals. Independance days, Buddhist holidays, anamist rituals...even Chinese New Year.
But I'm not talking about any of these. I'm refering to the February Travel Trilogy: Amy's Birthday, Valentine's Day and Chelsea's Birthday. And let me assure you, we started it in style.
French colonization was not for naught: it provided this capital city with an exciting cuisine infusion (I believe the correct term in a Frenchy Frenchitude) and with cheese, which we were desperately lacking.
Other things to note about the Laotian capital: Asian, French and Communist influences have left the place bit muddled. Grand Asian structures are guarded by cold Lenin-esque statues and the city's attempt at a regal Arc d'Triumph was built from concrete donated by America for the purpose of building an airstrip. Hmmm. At least they didn't tamper with the cheese.
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