I had finally arrived in the last country of the Asia Trip: Laos. While the rest of the trip had full schedules and packed days, the plan for Laos was similar to how Laos is as a country. We had a few events planned, but overall, it was free reign for us. Laos was the least ‘busy’ place we visited. The markets were easygoing and the scenery was peaceful. The people there were also laidback and friendly. I simply enjoyed taking in the views and nature.
We started the trip by feeding monks from local temples, an event called the alms giving ceremony. This was a unique experience which made me appreciate how unified and supportive the city is. It also teaches a positive message of servitude and giving. Later we went to the Royal Palace Museum which had beautiful decor and artwork, showcasing old history of Laos as well as some recent history. Then, we explored Wat Xiengthong and Wat Wisunarat briefly. These were both stunning temples with amazing decor, including the mosaic piece titled the “Tree of Life.” After visiting these places, I learned that mosaics are significantly integrated with Laos culture, especially for religious purposes. That evening we also took a dinner cruise along the Mekong river where we saw a gorgeous sunset.
The next day we took a short boat ride over to the Pak Ou Caves, home to more than 4,000 Buddha statues. It was incredible to see the sheer number of the statues, all stacked next to one another. We then visited the Kuang Si Falls which had a nice hike to breathtaking views and a bear sanctuary along the way. I really enjoyed the pretty agriculture and absolute serenity.
On my final day, we began by stopping at the UXO Lao Visitor Center where we learned about how Laos was affected by the Vietnam War. The small museum featured information about unexploded ordnance and how Laos is the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. Over 2 million tons of ordnance were dropped on Laos between 1964 and 1973, many of which still left unexploded. Thus, this center is dedicated to finding and removing UXOs. After spending time there, we visited an elephant sanctuary and had the opportunity to see Big Al in real life (pictured)! It was a very sweet and memorable experience feeding the elephants, and it made me feel more connected to the world around me. After a closing dinner and reflections, my time in Asia had wrapped up.
For my final thoughts, I would like to touch on the communication aspect of this trip. I have haggled my way down night markets, spoken with government employees, connected with college students from the other side of the globe, chatted with managers of a foreign company, learned life lessons from victims of a terrible genocide, and danced (rather poorly) with people from all over the world. One of the most important parts of managing a business is understanding people, and I don’t think I’ve ever had as much hands-on experience in understanding people as I did in Asia. An open mind with an inquisitive yet respectful attitude goes a long way. I have learned that people across the world are more similar to me than they are different. It’s easy to say those words, but when you actually see it, you begin to truly understand them.
