Pakbeng

I left Luang Prabang this morning and am making my way back up north where I cross over into Thailand. Yesterday I cycled for 5 hours - just literally hired a bicycle and toured around town then headed out into the countryside until I got bored. I was completely on my own - apart from the odd passing car/bike - then I went passed a rural school at home time - and I had about 5 or 6 children cycling with me for a few kilometres - it was really delightful, they were all laughing and smiling and racing with me. The only English they knew was "GOOD MORNING!" and they said this as both a greeting and a farewell when eventually they went down a different road. The countryside is just lovely here and really a world away. In the evening, I just had some dinner with some fellow travellers and then hit the markets for some night shopping. Stuff here is ridiculously cheap and so lovely - I wish I could spend more money! But I am trying to wash my hands of purchasing things I dont actually need these days so just a few trinket keep sakes will do. I went to bed fairly late after chatting to some people back at the hostel and had to be up early this morning to leave. I left Luang Prabang via the slow boat this morning at 8am.
Had a very chilled day the "slow boat" takes you up the Mekong River and gets you to the most northern border crossing where I orginally entered Huay Xai. You stop off overnight in another dusty little village called Pakbeng which is where I am now. Its a very scenic route - although a little long at 9 hours - but it was quite peaceful and I had a lot of time for deep thought! I am trying to make my way back to Chiang Mai - as I get a my flights down to the islands from there....its all touch and go, because I have realised I didnt leave mysely enough time!!! So I am supposed to be getting another boat tomorrow (travelling through the mountains by road can take even longer, and after my last mountain trip I think I will give THAT a miss!). The boat trip tomorrow is another 9-10 hours, and its pretty comfortable and relaxing, but I need to get through the border before 6pm which is sketchy. Then on top of that I need to get a bus or something for another 5 hour journey from there to Chang Mai!! There are random buses going, but its all a case of rock up and see... Tomorrow I do have an option of getting a "speed boat" but they look dodgy as all hell and there are loads of stories of accidents...gulp. The passengers all wear crash helmets!! Hahahahahah - anyway, I am sure it would be okay but they only leave when they have enough passengers - and if I hang around for a speedboat I might miss the slow boat?! If I do get over the border though I might be faced with another dilemna of trying to get a bus - I might resort to making a sign and sitting on the side of the road... Thai people seem pretty helpful?! All shall be revealed in 24 hrs! My flights leave at 10am... I am cutting it VERY fine. Worst case scenario is I have to pay money to change my flights, or actually, I suppose worst case scenario could be that I die on a speedboat or get abducted on the other side. I am definitely going to be the desperate "farang" (local term for tourist) which makes me vulnerable to being ripped off!
Had a bit of a downer day today (the perils of having 9 hours to do nothing), and filled my time wondering about life - what I am going to do when I finish travelling? what about all the money I have spent in the last 9 months? how can I continue travelling? Will I die a lonely spinster with 50 cats? Do I look old and washed up at 30? Is wondering about all this shit a waste of energy - when there are clearly for more important things going on in this world? Should I just squander my life savings travelling until I stop wondering about anything?! You know - the usual female concerns. Such complex creatures we are.
Anyhoo - Pakbeng is a cute little place with not much to do - but alas they do have an internet cafe so I thought I would kill some time!I teamed up with a canadian girl on the boat and we are sharing a room together to save costs. We just had a lovely meal, but there is not much else do to here apart from drink?! But I am trying to lay off the booze, feeling a little "flu-ey" and considering I am in a malaria area and not on anti-malaria tabs, I suppose I should keep an eye on it! Nice early night in preparation for the adventures the dawn brings!
Gypsy Regdelp signing out xxxx