Xepon and the Lao border

I travelled to the border on two buses, both of which were converted trucks that had seats in the back. I broke the journey by staying in the small town of Xepon. There were two other foreigners in town in the guesthouse where I stayed and both days I was the only foreigner travelling on the buses. It was fun but I really wished I could have talked with people. Smiles, some sign language and lots of curious looks from both sides.

It is a dirt road almost the whole way from Savannakhet to the border and while there is a road being built the whole way it is bvery much a work in progress. The open windows and seeping floot of the 'bus' meant that I was completely covered in dust. I actually looked brown, but so did my black trousers and my camera bag! I met some great people though, especially the next morning as I waited for the bus ar 7am as told. It finally came at 9.30, but I was rescued from sitting at the side of the road by a couple of ladies who got me to go with them and their kids to one of their shops and sat me down on a plastic chair. Oh to talk some Lao!

The trip was great though and I made it safely and smoothly across the border into Vietnam, though I was sad to leave Laos.