Coping with a Secret

American pop culture  both glorifies and educates us on the Vietnam War.  Its in favorite movies like Forest Gump, High School class rooms, and in my case in many books on my Dads bed side table.  However, we rarely hear about the reality of the war or pay attention to the horrific facts of the devastation in both SE Asia and in the minds of our own citizens.   Therefore it is not surprising that I was clueless about the effects of the Vietnam War on Laos.  The books call it the "Secret War".

Before Traveling to Laos I became aware of the issue when listening to a This American Life episode that talked about the myth of hidden chemical warfare an threw in a few second splash on this war in Laos. Then, when I purchased my Lonely Planet Book, I read their information on the aftermath of the war.  Since this was so new to me I wanted to share some information on this horrific war that has been shielded from the majority of America just like so many other heinous acts we as a country have committed

The American "Secret War" in Laos
During the Communist era the Geneva Conference declared Laos a neutral nation.  Therefore, the US and Vietnam could not cross the boarder.  However, in response the the Vietcong bringing munitions down the Ho Chi Min Trail, the US broke regulations and dropped cluster bombs all along the Laos boarder.  The problem with this, the majority of these bombs did not explode.  These sub-munitions known as UXO's  remain below the ground today waiting to be set off. Some stats?

• 260 million sub-munitions were dropped over Lao between 1964 and 1973 
• 1,090,228 unexploded sub-munitions destroyed by UXO teams between 1996 and 2009
• 300 new casualties from UXO incidents every year.

Lao is the most heavily bombed country per-capita IN THE WORLD

Unfortunately very little has been done to deal with the issue.  Lao cannot grow or move forward until the UXO's are cleared. Farm land cannot spread, new villages cannot be established, all due to fear that there may be a set a bombs in the area. Clearing teams....

The COPE Center- Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise
The COPE Center is a co non-profit and government run program that builds prosthetic limbs for civilians injured by UXO's who still have a chance of recovery   The program both builds the limbs, rehabilitates, and educates.  There are a few centers set up around the country.  However, the process is expensive and few have access or knowledge the the Center exists 

Therefore, Laos is unable to continue development.  Farm land cannot be expanded for fear of planting in land mine ridden areas.  The same is true for urban development.  From my traveling the only expansion I have come across is the Chinese railroad that will span the country from north to south.  The Chinese have "loaned" the Lao people the money to build this rail road so that the Chinese can get goods through SE Asia easier... But that's a topic for another day!

Thus ends another travel ramble

Lots of love from a Happy Traveler :oD


Facts gathered from:
The COPE Center in Vientiane, Laos, http://www.copelaos.org/ban_cluster_bombs.php, 2010
Southeast Asia on a Shoestring, Lonely Planet, Lonely Planted Publications LTD, 2012

Bangkok: Black and White Internet... who knew

First post from SE Asia, YAY!  I am going to make this a light one as I do not have to much to share yet.

I spent my first week in Bangkok exploring the city and meeting some other wonderful backpackers.  My first few days were a bit rough before I met some people and got my directions straight in the big city  but, I thinks that's normal. (Thai people never point straight.  I do not know why but whenever I asked directions they always pointed in a veer to the right or left ind of motion.  So odd!) 

Nonetheless, after a few days I meet a group of people a Niras Backpackers Hostel, a lovely little place outside of the over crowded and commercial Kho San Rd, who I spent my next few days in the city with.  Last night I left BKK* and took an overnight train to Laos.
Here is a list of what I did in the city,

• Saw a bunch of temples
• Walked my butt off
• Ate lots of street food and so much fruit! **Note to Arden**The variation of quail eggs the cook are amazing.
•  Discovered my black and white kindle gets internet... so cool
• Went to a Muay Thai Boxing  Match-see video
• Explored the largest China town I have even been to.

I know there was more but that's all for now folks

Whats next?I think tomorrow I will travel north to the capital of Laos, Vientiane.  I have few plans from there but hope to meet some new (and old) friends from the Chinese New Year at the start of February in Hanoi.

I promise my posts will become less mundane soon

So much love to everyone at home

Signed,

One happy Traveler :oD


*Bangkok