Monday, August 11, 2014

Ten Things I'd Say About Pakse


1. Verdant; I've never seen so many shades of green
2. It's better when it rains. It's nature's air conditioning, it's soothing and it transforms the landscape into something tropical.
3. It's both larger and smaller than you'd expect
4. There are two types of organic materials cultivated here-- the flower on her way to becoming a piece of garbage, and the garbage on her way to becoming a flower. In the landscape of "wheat and tares," suffering and compassion coexist.
5. There's a giant golden statue of Buddha (reminiscent of a golden calf) situated on the mountainside, perpetually keeping watch over the city
6. There's a bridge crossing the Mekong River that commemorates the alliance between the Japanese and Lao, over which you can watch solitary men in wooden slivers fishing for food and friendship
7. Often the places that look least inviting have the most to offer--two of the most breathtaking waterfalls Tat Fan and Khon Phapheng Falls are tucked away along the backroads outside the city 
8. Must break for roadside vendors with hanging clusters of durian. The process of knocking, cutting, and scooping out the sweet and slimy fruit is rival to none. 
9. The sin is the traditional women's skirt. Wearing one as a foreigner demonstrates modesty and respect; it will also garner admiration and appreciation with the citizens
10. It's not a place you ever really know. 



No comments:

Post a Comment