Pictures are the man that repaired my "manbag" - he sewed the strap attachment back on and did a great job - all by hand for $2.00 (tourist price). The other is what the dinner on the train looks like. I paid 75 cents for it, but didn't eat it till next morning when I was a little hungrier.
Since I had comfortable seats on the flight over, and because I rode AMTRACK to Washington and had comfortable seats,
for some reason I transferred those experiences over to the "seat" trains in Thailand! Instead of taking a second class air condition sleeper car to Vientiane, I chose the second class "seat" car.
Now just basically, - it was a terrible sitting seat and for sure not good for sleeping!! Plus, it was the noisiest train car I have ever been
on! It vibrated like a metal band, it shook, it jerked, and it made strange loud noises throughout the trip, with the metal band vibrating in the background.
But the good side was: it was cold. It had a decent toilet - although of the squat variety, and the people were pleasant.
We arrived at the Lao border at 6:45 a.m., so it was on time. The last time I came we arrived at 11:30 a.m.
Walking out of the train terminal I looked for a "tut tut" that was loading locals on for the short trip to the Thai border. Not one luring tourist on. Found one, it cost a $1.00 so I guess I got over charged anyway! Checking out of Thailand I then needed to get to the Lao Border. No they are not at the same place! There was a bus to the Lao border ( 2 kilometers away) and this cost 20 baht -60 cents. After the Lao border check I got in a "tut tut" into downtown Vientiane.
The borders were no problem, and I was glad I had gotten my visa in Bangkok. It just makes things easier at the Lao immigration.
I got to my hotel just before the rain began. I am in a nice hotel, The Samsenthai Hotel - it cost $12.00 and has AC, hot water, fan, a window view of the Mekong river,
WI-FI and a TV.
It is on the forth floor with no elevators, so I make sure I have what I need or want before going to the room.
Once in my room I realized how tired I was from the nights lack of peaceful sleep. So I chilled out until about 3:00.
Then went and got Lao money, the exchange rate is 8,200 Lao Kip to one US dollar. So I now have a LOT of money. I also got my Lao phone charged up by buying a prepaid card and adding to my account.
My telephone is a TRI BAND phone, so I just change the SIM card as I travel from country to country. I use AT&T in the States, Orange in Thailand and TIGO in Laos. We also use Tigo in Honduras.
At the hotel, the first room they showed me was like a damp wet cement cellar and I turned it down, then he takes me to this very nice room. Same price! Can't ever relax with
these folks.
I am meeting friends for dinner tonight, at a steak restaurant I ate at on the last trip.. I'm looking forward to it. You must realize
now that it is not an "Outback!" The steak is more like what you get at the Waffle House, but the potato and vegetables are good and steak is tasty.
Tomorrow I'll be around town - have some housekeeping to do, and need photos of water filter that I may use in a project here.
all for now
Johnny
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