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Sabaydii,
Here is the continuation of a series ‘Coming home’ entitled
‘The first night in
Hakphaang,
Kongkeo Saycocie
No sooner
we were getting close to
A fine
From radio of course
Strange to hear
The voice was so pleading
For the people to be courteous
And not succumbing to corruption
Does this mean
Or those who takes control of the country
Just want to hang on to power
Whatever it takes?
Checking in at the hotel
By That Dam[1]
A month’s pay a night
I was at awe at my own country
The rich got richer
Would it for once
Trickle down to the depraved masses?
With a bag of camera and camcorder
I took off again
Relishing
I once so much enjoyed
Taking the road
Passing by the La Plaza hotel[2]
Pricey even beyond my reach
I then reached
Seng Lao[3] area
Where the movie theater
Was no longer operating
In its place
A dark decrepit building stood
Eerily reminding me of
its contrasting golden days
where lights were flashing
movie goers loitering
and all kinds of food stalls
lining up in front
Disheartened by the sight
I walked off to SamSenThai road[4]
Saw a Pho[5] restaurant
Hastily ordered a Pho soup
And ate in complete silence
8.21.03
[1] A black stupa pretty much uncared for so it is as black as its name implies.
[2] The five stars hotel catering to the well-to-do tourists.
[3] The one time great entertainment center of the old regime.
[4] The road that runs through the downtown area. Also, this road is lining up with many temples. Some say it is as many as nine temples.
[5] The Vietnamese soup which the Lao adopts it as their own dish.