Pictures of Vientiane

Being back in Vientiane has been a mixed blessing so far. I'm happy to be here catching up with friends and reacquainting myself with a place we (briefly) called home. I'm less happy about being away from C.



Still the work is interesting and it's much better to be doing it now than next year when the 3rd pea makes an entrance and everything changes.

I spent some of Saturday and Sunday afternoons wandering the back streets and managed to shoot a whole roll of film. I thought I'd post a few of my favourites so far.

The one at the top is of a couple of the ubiquitous monks that wander the streets of Vientiane.


Another common sight is of course tuk tuks, and this guy kindly let me take his picture - striking a pose in fact!


I was in an alley taking another photo when these two crossed my path. There is a large informal economy in Vientaine and many people make ends meet by collecting recyclables from other's waste. Anything recyclable can be taken to one of several centres in the city and exchanged for (modest amounts of) cash.


Tat Dam (black stupa) is one of my favourite Vientiane landmarks. It's rather old, but has been razed and rebuilt several times over the centuries. Granted, it doesn't look so old in this picture, but I really like the angle.



Speaking of old, this is one of the few colonial-era French villas that still litter parts of the city. This one is my favourite, but it looks like someone has beaten me to purchasing and renovating it as there was work going on in the front yard when I strolled by. Oh well, there goes that dream...


And while I'm on the topic of houses, I love this one too, but for different reasons. I'm not sure if you can see the giant lions on the roof, but take it from me: they are giant and quite spectacular.