Killing Me Softly 101

I lived there for a year over a decade ago. It was a good place for families. Not so good for singles. The best jobs were with the International School which does require homecountry credentials and work experience. It pays well. Overseas hire contracts are better than local hire. (Free house, other benefits).

There was another smaller English language school. The best language school gig for adults was run by OZ AID. Do not remember the exact name but was sponsored by the Austrailan Government. The was a private Language School that was managed by a Malaysian and was focued on business English and it employed both native speakers and expats. Expats were paid much better than locals. Don Dok University did not pay foreigners well. A few worked there and were paid from their home countries Foreign Aid funds. (Usually MA TESOL or PhD. level).

The best expat group was the Hash House Harriers (The Drinkers with a Running Problem) and it met every Monday night. When I lived there, possibly only 300 expats lived in Vientiane, and about 60 would show up for the 2k and 10k runs. So this was the place to meet and discuss.

My favorite bar, The End Of the World Bar, has sadly appeared in Lonely Planet, so I imagine it is no longer worth a visit. Drinking a Beer Lao watching the sunset over the Makong was what I did for a night out. Of course my experiences are dated so don't know the situation now.

Many expats belonged to the Australian Embassy Club (nicknamed Club Apartheid-- because Lao People were excluded.) It had embassy privledges so you could get a real Oz steak reaonably priced. Oz beer too.

Medical treatment required emergency evacuation to Thailand to Nong Khai (Wattana Hospital). The embassy had a minor clinic $40 visit and arranged evacjuatiion to Thailand in emergency. (They had a nurse to accompany and van). They could arrange private hellicopter evacuation also. (Expensive)

Like SP above said, Many People get Bored Quickly. I always advised friends that it was a 5 day 4 night trip. By then you've seen it and done it.

It was not developed then, roads were often dirt which changed to mud. Transportation systems were virtually nonexistent. I lived in the expat area Ban Saphon Tong Tai, and if I wanted to go to a hotel disco on a Friday night, I biked in (on a Bicycle, Expats were not allowed to have motorcycles) and visited the disco. Then take a motorcycle tuktuk home.

There were only a few cafes, my favorite was the Fountain. I hear it has changed. In many ways, living in Lao PDR was like I had fallen off the end of the world. But communications were difficult then, no internet. International phone calls were $5 a minute. Etc. Back then their were no atms. Thai Banks opened the year I lived there and it definitely improved the banking system.

It was in terms of actual work (small international school with supportive expat families) it was the best work environment I ever had. Maximum freedom, good administration, supportive parents, very international community). I had an overseas hire contract that included a 3 bedroom house, relocation expenses, and international health insurance. Life was good there.

There were many problems with visas and work permits. I believe that this has been worked out.

Good luck. If you chose to live there pm back.

P.S. The best place to spend on Friday Night was my living room!

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I appeared naked into this world involuntarily and uninvited for a short stay and all I can do is wonder.