Kayaks, small villages, and rain :p

Well today, 8 of us got up and went kayaking with "green adventures"... along the Naptha river... it was fantastic. The river is murky because of the on slot of the rainy season, but regardless of the 10 min down pours.. and I mean down pours.. it is incredibly still warm. We kayaked for about 25 km, some still serene portions, others full of wicked rapids, and I loved every minute of it. I was hoping for single kayaksbut we were grouped in pairs, and we had two people over board at least once.. and I went with the guide who got hit by a tree and knocked off our boat.. I couldn't stop laughing.. as well, the clouds come and go, and it never seems that hot.. but based on the lobster red color of my legs.. I guess the +30 with rain can lead to you burning. I love the fact that there is blue sky here in laos... but literally.. it will be blue skies for an hour.. then you will see these dark grey clouds come in.. it will rain harder than you can imagine for 10 minutes.. and then its gone and back to blue skies. Right now I am in the computer shop and it is POURING... but yet people are still on their scooters.. holding an umbrella of course.

We had the opportunity to visit two villages along the river today. Words can't explain what I saw, and this internet connection is very very slow, so I doubt I will be able to upload it. But picture houses on stilts, with thatched roofs (palm leaves)... pigs, chickens, dogs all running around, and women and children only in the village as the men are all at work. You can't say its poverty as this is their way of life. There was a group of boys about 5 and 6 digging holes in the ground and collecting worms. Along the river we say groups of young boys fishing and playing. It's just the same as us, but the difference is what we consider normal is so far beyond what is the norm here. We take alot for granted (I know I do), and the fact that I have 4 walls around me and a roof over my head, and a fridge full of food is something I wouldn't think would seem so unreal to the people here.. but yet.. all I saw today was smiles and laughter in the villages. I took some great phots of children playing and following me around. I wonder what they would think if they saw my ever so read skin now though :). I gave the kids gum and we all sat there chewing and trying to blow bubbles... one boy knew exactly how to say thankyou.. and the girls just cowered in against the buildings.. it was pretty neat to see. One of the boys came out of the trees carrying a hacksaw from cutting wood for the family and I wouldn't even put him past 10. A younger man, I would say was 16 was there too.. he just smiled and smiled.. I didn't give him any gum and I actually regret this.. he just stood off in the corner watching all the other kids.. I would say he was the oldest in the village at that time. The people of laos of very thin, but muscular, and have extremely beautiful brown eyes.

Well this image is not uploading.. sorry.. no photos for you today...

I can't believe two weeks have gone by.. it feels like I have left Calgary months ago.. we have done alot in two weeks that's for sure. I am having the inkling in my 5 days after this tour is done to head to Cambodia.. but we'll see. I can get my visa in Bangkok and bus / train it to Cambodia... no definite plans yet.. just an idea. Going to the beaches is still appealling to me as well.. as I am very very tired from go go go and need a few days of doing nothing..

We head to Luang Prabang tomorrow.. nothing like a 10 hour bus ride on curvy roads.. I'll be heavily drugged with gravol again I am sure.