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Cuba - More than old cars
Today we flew to Vientiane on Lao Airlines. Trip was only about 40 minutes and when we arrived there was no one there to meet us. Eventually Vieng, our local guide, and the driver arrived and we immediately headed for a monument called Patuxai or Victory Gate. It is the Lao version of the Arc de Triomphe and is dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. We walked the 190 steps to the top for some photographs. Not easy in 36 degrees C and 80% humidity. There were a number of levels where we could rest and they were of course full of souvenirs to purchase.
There were LOTS of photographers taking our pictures in front of the monument and then offering to sell printed versions of their photographs to us. Later on we could see their vans which had 3 or 4 Epsom printers in the back operating on 12v batteries. As we had our own pictures we did not purchase any but thought it was all very entrepreneurial.
Off to check into the hotel and then immediately out to the COPE visitor centre. Known as the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise, it is a non profit locally run organisation to provide rehabilitation services, and where possible prosthetics, for those who are survivors of Unexploded Ordanace (UXO) left over from the Secret War. Much of this is unexploded cluster bombs which are doing most of the damage. This was a very illuminating visit. What is the secret war? – it is basically the bombing that took place in Laos during the Vietnam War (or as the local countries know it, the American War). What we did not realise was that about 500 km of the Ho Chi Minh trail ran through Laos and was extensively bombed by the Americans. Not only was it bombed but any aborted bombing raids due to bad weather resulted in the ordinance being dropped randomly elsewhere in Laos. Laos is the most heavily bombed country in the world per capita. More than 580,000 bombing missions dropped more than 270 million bombs equating to one bombing mission every 8 minutes, 24 hours a day for 9 years. There are more than 80 million unexploded bombs. More than 20,000 people have been killed or injured since the end of the war. There are more statistics but we think you might get the picture.
That's the bad news now for the good news being the provision of prosthetics to those that have been injured, and not just from old bombs exploding (could be vehicle accident etc). Many of the injured are children and they of course need multiple prosthetics as they grow taller. A major problem is that the people suffering are those who are farmers in remote areas and just getting to them can be an issue as well as informing them of the existence of the COPE centre. You might wish to visit their website for more information (www.copelaos.org).
Having recovered from this we went back to the hotel and headed for the river area for a great dinner at the Spirit House followed by a walk along to the night market.
All in all an interesting start to our stay in Vientiane.
There were LOTS of photographers taking our pictures in front of the monument and then offering to sell printed versions of their photographs to us. Later on we could see their vans which had 3 or 4 Epsom printers in the back operating on 12v batteries. As we had our own pictures we did not purchase any but thought it was all very entrepreneurial.
Off to check into the hotel and then immediately out to the COPE visitor centre. Known as the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise, it is a non profit locally run organisation to provide rehabilitation services, and where possible prosthetics, for those who are survivors of Unexploded Ordanace (UXO) left over from the Secret War. Much of this is unexploded cluster bombs which are doing most of the damage. This was a very illuminating visit. What is the secret war? – it is basically the bombing that took place in Laos during the Vietnam War (or as the local countries know it, the American War). What we did not realise was that about 500 km of the Ho Chi Minh trail ran through Laos and was extensively bombed by the Americans. Not only was it bombed but any aborted bombing raids due to bad weather resulted in the ordinance being dropped randomly elsewhere in Laos. Laos is the most heavily bombed country in the world per capita. More than 580,000 bombing missions dropped more than 270 million bombs equating to one bombing mission every 8 minutes, 24 hours a day for 9 years. There are more than 80 million unexploded bombs. More than 20,000 people have been killed or injured since the end of the war. There are more statistics but we think you might get the picture.
That's the bad news now for the good news being the provision of prosthetics to those that have been injured, and not just from old bombs exploding (could be vehicle accident etc). Many of the injured are children and they of course need multiple prosthetics as they grow taller. A major problem is that the people suffering are those who are farmers in remote areas and just getting to them can be an issue as well as informing them of the existence of the COPE centre. You might wish to visit their website for more information (www.copelaos.org).
Having recovered from this we went back to the hotel and headed for the river area for a great dinner at the Spirit House followed by a walk along to the night market.
All in all an interesting start to our stay in Vientiane.
- comments
Gael Extremely interesting reading - I'm shocked at my prior ignorance re the vast bombing missions (and still remaining unexploded bombs)! Also the attached website is informative and inspirational - loved reading about 'Santar's' road to mobility and improved mental health as the result of his treatment , and the fact that now he is at the top of his class, whereas before he lived a withdrawn life full of depression! Thanks.