We took an overnight train from Bangkok to Vientiane, crossing the Mekong, and arriving four hours late. At lunchtime we had our first genuine Lao meal: beef larp with sticky rice.










Afterwards, we took a stroll in area and found a school. Uniformed children were waiting and playing in the yard. Of course I took photos, and usually this is a one-way assault, but this time they shot right back -- with a Nintendo DS no less. Shenanigans ensued and I quickly found myself winded and sweaty from the horsing around.
































We rented bikes and spent the rest of the day exploring the quite capital of Laos.