First Published August 22,2005 at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal
Vang Vieng, Laos — After a 7-hour drive in unpaved, muddy roads; occasional toilet breaks in the bushes; surviving a road block (caused by a landslide) and heavy monsoon rains, we finally arrived in Vang Vieng.
The laidback town of Vang Vieng, which is about 155 km north of Vientianne, is known for its beautiful caves. Backpackers, especially those who love the “great outdoors”, go to Vang Viang to explore the caves or to go “tubing” – riding on huge tractor inner tubes that float down in the Nam Xong river. But it was monsoon season, the whole area was flooded, roads are muddy, and caves are slippery.
We stayed in a simple guesthouse, where each room has a bed, a fan and a bathroom. It’s basic really, but what I enjoyed most was the fact that we were in the fourth floor and had the wide balcony all for ourselves.
My group mates, who were craving for some adrenaline rush, were bored and restless. They went out, they said that they wanted to explore the town. I said I won’t go with them as I needed to write.
After doing my asanas in my bedroom, I immediately occupied the wide table in the balcony and brought out my journal, pen, my discman, a bottle of iced tea, and my guidebook. I was so happy, just sitting there, enjoying the tranquility of the place, writing in my journal.
The problem is, my group mates, after about half an hour, returned to the guesthouse. Frustrated that they couldn’t do anything, they spent their pent-up energy talking. Well I really couldn’t care less if they talked for like hours. What I was really annoyed about was that they had to do all these talking in the balcony where I’m writing something. So I just put on my discman and listened to the meditative tunes of the sarod and the tabla.
My group mates are fun and very nice people. But I just can’t be with them. I noticed that they’re just way too restless that they can’t understand the value of “stillness” of just staying there and enjoying what is now, and what is present. They also can’t understand my need for some quiet time because I’m a writer, and I need to write.
