Well, this was one of those times where I found myself wondering if one can be proud to be an American? We just visited a town called Phonsavan, and saw the destruction caused by the US in one of the largest sustained aerial bombings in history. During the Vietnam War, en route back to the base in Thailand, they dropped 2 million tons of bombs on Laos and around 30% of the bombs failed to detonate. As a result, the country is littered with unexploded ordnance (UXO) and the UXOs are the worst in Xieng Khuang province, which is where Phonsavan is located. It's extremely sad and devastating because peoples countryside is contaminated and there are deaths occurring still, years later, as a result of the bombs that didn't go off. And when you're on a tour, and you say you're from America, and the guide just laughs and shakes his head, you really have to wonder what we were thinking years back. It would be different if the US were actually funding any type of program to try and clear the areas, but the only signs posted were from New Zealand Aid and the Brittish Mines Advisory Group (MAG).
Anyway, it was a short day and a half in Phonsavan. You really only go there for the Plain of Jars tour. There are 3 major jar sites - and nobody really knows much about them. They are these rock jarlike-shaped remains scattered on the ground that archaeologists suspect were used as stone coffins or urns. It was an ok little day tour - and we got to tromp around in some rain and mud along the way.
1 comment:
Oh my heck JOY! It looks like you're having too much fun in Asia. It's kinda wierd to think how different our lives are. I'm quitting work next month to be a stay at home mom. CRAZY! Have fun & enjoy your trip, for too soon it will be over.
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