Ambush

Watch it, there’s a road block up ahead.

Shall we turn back?

No point. Another group has just come out on the street behind. Look.

Any side street we can go down?

No way out. We’re out of bribes. We’re trapped this time.

We could just do nothing. Pretend we’re checking our map or something.

Might work. Give us a breathing space for a bit. They can’t venture far from their ammo supply.

Looks like you’re most vulnerable on the back of a pickup.

Trust no one. Even the girls and children are heavily armed. They take no prisoners and show no mercy whatsoever.

...

River moss

Could I suggest some khai paen or river moss as a souvenir?
Moss doesn't sound particularly appetizing. I'm not so vege as to be into lichens and algaes and moulds.
Believe me, it's good. The food's all good here, quite superior to anything they prepare on the Plain of Jars and south.
Hmm. River moss.
It's fried in oil, dried and dusted with sesame seeds. You buy it in green sheets.
Like nori?
Even better than nori. It's in the market. Here. Probably prepared it herself. Highest grade, Ten thosand kip, only a dollar for a big fat pack.
Okay, two.

Sir, sir, how about some water buffalo skin? Or fried grasshoppers?

Decisions

All afternoon spent sitting on the BTS going between Asok and MBK, MBK and Asok, Asok and MBK, because I kept forgetting what it was I was going to Asok for, actually, it was a flight to Laos. I also forgot what it was I was going to MBK for. That was a wardrobe, Despite the bouts of recurring dementia, I finally managed to achieve both. At Asok, Khun Jin was beginning to grimace every time I walked in the door to ask her what it was I came for and at MBK, Khun Waraporn stopped laughing the third time I asked her how tall her wardrobe was.

So are you going to Vientiane or Luang Phabang?

Not an easy decision. Going to Vientiane was cheaper, and mileage counted, but required a six hour bus trip, going to Luang Phabang was more expensive and no mileage but no overland travel problems.

No mileage? And merely to avoid a bus trip?

No, I steeled myself, Remington like, and said damn the miles, I will fly with Bangers Air to LP before global warming forces all airlines to shut down or quadruple their fares to pay their carbon debits. Then I will return to Tokyo, not a pretty thought, but I will be able to make a lot of merit by catsitting Leo for a week.

Where you will be able to enjoy six months of drizzly rain away from this bracing tropical heat.