Friday 30 November 2012
Phonsavan
A few days ago I moved on from Luang Prabang to Phonsavan. The main attraction in this small town is the plain of jars and war memorabilia from the Vietnam war. This area is the most heavily bombed area in the world. During the Vietnam war the Americans were bombing Laos every 8 minutes for 9 years. As you can imagine that is a lot of bombs to throw over a country. Laos was pronounced neutral during the war and yet the USA decided to heavily and secretly bomb the country just incase the Vietnamese would seek cover there or if the locals would be supplying the "enemy" with food. Entire villages were wiped out either from the bombings or from starvation as they couldn't produce anything as it was to unsafe to do so.
The scars from this can still be seen. Most public places in the countryside we went to had warnings about going off the trail as there could be unexploded devices, we saw older people missing limbs and big craters created by bombs.
It is estimated that there are around 75 million unexploded bombs and bombies (smaller cluster bombs the size of apples) all over Laos and especially in the area surrounding Phonsavan. Children and farmers are at the greatest risk of getting their lives taken. The farmers risk their lives everyday when they go out into their fields but they have no other choice then to starve if they don't go. Children who are unaccustomed to the bombs can mistake them for toys and just not know what they are and pick them up.
During my stay in Phonsavan I learnt a lot and also got a lot of respect for these people. They have lived thorough a hell on earth and still manage to smile at you and try to speak with you not knowing a single word of English. I have had many laughs with the local villagers trying to talk with them using English, limited Laos and many hand gestures. They are kind people who mostly live in poverty yet they manage to save a smile for you.
If you are interested in learning more about what happened to Laos there is a great documentary you can find on youtube it's called " the most secret place on earth. CIAs covert war in Laos". This film will open up your eyes and teach you a thing or two.
The scars from this can still be seen. Most public places in the countryside we went to had warnings about going off the trail as there could be unexploded devices, we saw older people missing limbs and big craters created by bombs.
It is estimated that there are around 75 million unexploded bombs and bombies (smaller cluster bombs the size of apples) all over Laos and especially in the area surrounding Phonsavan. Children and farmers are at the greatest risk of getting their lives taken. The farmers risk their lives everyday when they go out into their fields but they have no other choice then to starve if they don't go. Children who are unaccustomed to the bombs can mistake them for toys and just not know what they are and pick them up.
During my stay in Phonsavan I learnt a lot and also got a lot of respect for these people. They have lived thorough a hell on earth and still manage to smile at you and try to speak with you not knowing a single word of English. I have had many laughs with the local villagers trying to talk with them using English, limited Laos and many hand gestures. They are kind people who mostly live in poverty yet they manage to save a smile for you.
If you are interested in learning more about what happened to Laos there is a great documentary you can find on youtube it's called " the most secret place on earth. CIAs covert war in Laos". This film will open up your eyes and teach you a thing or two.
Monday 26 November 2012
Trip down the Mekong river
Sunrise in Thailand overlooking Laos. Beautiful scenery and sunsets down the Mekong river until we arrived in Luang Prabang.
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