Cultural Observations

Communication: One of the major difficulties travelling over here is that the Asian culture is sooo different from the Western one that even gestures often make it really difficult to get your point across. Also, because saving face is SO important to the locals, they will not let you know that they do not understand. For example, this morning at breakfast we went to a place on the corner of the road that our hotel is on. The place was bascially some tables set up on tile, and then behind that was a couch and an entertainment center, which displayed the families pictures...so basically picture their family room attached to a dining area. The kitchen was around the corner. Their menus were written in English (broken English) so you would think that they could understand those words. Instead we had a tremendous amount of trouble ordering coffee without milk and then getting extra milk for a woman I was with. Pointing, making gestures and trying different words with very, very simple sentences did not work. The girls kept nodding as if they understood, would go back into the kitchen, and then come out and sit down on the couch and start watching the tv. Finally a brother or another guy working there came and could understand a little better. This difficulty is something faced everyday here. In a way it is a sign that they have not become "too westernized" for travellers seeking that experience, but at the same time the frustration that ensues often takes away from being able to enjoy oneself. We have come to the conclusion that two Westerns (like an American and a German) would be able to understand each other much, much better in the same situation simply because our cultures and gestures are so much more similar.

Dress: It is considered very sexual to reveal your shoulders and knees (if you are a woman), so for Westerners not used to such extreme heat, this makes finding airconditioning and shade a TOP priority most days (hence why I'm in an internet cafe at midday here!). Men can wear whatever they want...but generally they don't reveal their shoulders. Due to the Buddhist beliefs of these countries, it is important to keep in mind where you are placing your feet (the dirtiest, most evil part of the body), and oftentimes we have to take off our shoes before entering a shop or restaurant.

Food: Ordering at restaurants in a foreign country almost always requires an open mind. Thankfully, I am not a picky eater at all, so this hasn't been a difficult experience for me (others on my trip, not so much the same story...which is quite annoying!). However, customer service is nonexistent (will be interesting to see if that's still the case in like 10 years when tourism becomes more common) and so the food is cooked in the order the chef receives the order, and then brought out when it is ready. Also, most nights they do not have something on the menu that they say they do, but do not realize that until they get down to that part on the menu. The food is obviously rice and noodle based, and very spicy (asking for it mild is a risk, because they often get really confused when you're not talking simply or pointing to something directly at the menu). Even though its more spicy than I prefer, I have enjoyed the food.

Misc: The people are generally really nice to westerners, but like in any other place, you do find those that are really good at taking advantage of tourists. Yesterday, we had a driver who was contracted through Intrepid (the tour I'm on) to take some us to see the monks receive alms in the early morning in Luang Prabang. He has driven us places before (like to the waterfalls the previous day and to our hotel the first day) and so we had a relationship with him, as a group, and also he has a business relationship with Intrepid. When we asked him if we needed to pay him after the alms thing, he at first said no. And then a little while later he told us we should each pay him 5000 kip (like 50 cents, but still it's the principal and that is how much most Tuk-Tuk rides cost), we did and then later that day told our leader. The driver was definitely not supposed to charge us at all, so now my leader has to write that up in his report, and it's a shame because that means this driver will probably lost out more than he got from us in the end. The other thing that is pretty sad about the getting money from white people is using children to sell or beg. While it's not something that we want to support by buying something from them, it is also hard because the families do need that money to survive. It is really, really sad to see the kids working so hard to sell and not in school. That is probably what is hardest for me, is to see all these kids around all day, not going to school because their families cannot afford it. The cycle of poverty continues, but also the sex trade that often sucks in these little girls also continues, which is the saddest.