The Laos China Railway train—or, as we learned, Lao, that’s how it’s pronounced—moves steadily as I switch between writing and recording, between photographing and pondering. I prefer pondering, but that means I’m not writing, so I can’t fully record my thoughts.
It’s my guilty pleasure to compare a developing country with a recently developed country. Laos looks like another country from 20 years ago—or maybe more. Time seems to stand still here.
In the Vientiane countryside, farmers tend to rice fields. A person wearing a farmer’s hat rides a bike along an unpaved, muddy path, possibly returning home—a perfect slice of life.
Meanwhile, a 90s song plays on the train. Well, isn’t that something? Laos countryside, I am in love.
Sometimes we approach a place with expectations, imagining how it will feel, what we will experience. Laos challenges that thinking. Laos is asking me to wipe the slate clean and embrace the moment.
Phonthong, 4:10 PM
The Laos–China Railway train stops at Phonthong Station. It’s been four minutes now. It would be nice if we could get off and explore, but we’ve been warned to stay on board. Sometimes I wonder if this kind of warning—like “Please stay on board” or “Please don’t approach the door”—is only directed at us tourists. We do tend to behave the dumbest, a mix of vacation adrenaline, free time, and ignorance. Foreign experiences and excitement.
There’s a food tray being offered by two ladies. I wonder if they had passed us—I didn’t notice it coming this way.
The Laos–China Railway train enters a tunnel. Speed: 160 km/h.
Tunnel 2.
Tunnel 3—the longest one—opens up to a view straight out of Jurassic Park. Coming out of the tunnel, I can’t help but compare it to prehistoric scenery, like Jurassic Park-era landscapes. It reminds me of my first impression, a self-comment, when I saw New Caledonia for the first time—it really hit me the wrong way, and I regret that trip.
Vang Vieng, 4:47 PM
Vang Vieng is absolutely beautiful—otherworldly beautiful. I now have more reasons to come back to Laos: the Laos China railway, Vang Vieng, and hot-air ballooning here.
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