First Impressions

Our small Lao Airlines plane features two propellors and an inflight snack of lychee fruit and flat pop. Laos spreads before us in fleeting images through heavy for as we circle in for landing. What we see is an intricate quilt pattern of rolling hills, dense jungle, and neatly measured squares of brilliant green race paddies and bownish blue fishing ponds. The Mekong river rips through the landscape, powerful and brown as coffee. This lush scene is brightened by the red tile roofs of houses and temples, matched closely by the red dirt roads.
We are met by a heavy downpour as we leave the airport, along with three MCC trucks. Following closely alongside the frothy Mekong, we finally reach the MCC guest house, and wade through ankle deep water to reach the door. Although holding our eyes open is a chore, we are hungry for our first Lao meal. Spaghetti, to the best of my knowledge, is not traditional Lao food, but after three days of airplane food, it is comforting.