Other than people running to Vientiane to make a Thailand visa run there are also numerous valuable things to do in the capital of Laos including lessons on relaxationism.
Vientiane has to be one of the most relaxing capital cities in the world.  It seems that no one is in a hurry and barely anyone has a schedule set in concrete.  Everyone floats by, calmly laughing, slowly relaxing, and passionately enjoying life.  Obviously men carry on sporting the natural shirt vent super casually.  Vientiane can be a welcome relief as no …

It somehow seems hard to find concrete information on the web regarding how to make a Thailand visa run to Vientiane, Laos.  I have been on two visa runs to Vientiane recently and have taken notes to show the costs and how it really is not a very difficult process.  The first time I went, I obtained a 2 month tourist visa.  The second time I got a job teaching English in Bangkok and went to Vientiane to apply for a non-immigrant B visa so that my job could then apply for …

Subway take note:
In Vientiane, Laos, local street stalls set up in the morning with glass cabinets filled with fresh baguettes, cured meats and pate, green herbs, and an array of dazzling sauces and serve a Laos sandwich known as “khao jji paa-te.”  While walking down the street, I had another Asian golden stumble upon.
I am not one to overly rave about sandwiches, but the “khao jji paa-te,” that I partook of in Laos, definitely changed my perspective and deserves the respect I have been neglecting for years to the sandwich …

Migration Mark has been in South East Asia since March of 2009 and has grown to love a few serious things but mostly the extraordinarily quirky things.

1. Chili Peppers…Please!
I grew up eating food with spice and sometimes with chili.  Throughout SE Asia however, I have nurtured my ever craving lust for the succulent seeded heat of chili peppers.  I simply can’t taste food unless there is an abundance of hot chilies involved in the meal.  In my month in Indonesia, I was able to come up with 9 …

As I exit my van back to Bangkok, I get out to urinate and see a pick up truck with something massive in the back.  After nearly choking in my awe, the vehicle begins to maneuver its way out of the parking lot.  It is literally a small Nissan Frontier with an 18 wheeler truck load in the bed.
We don’t really know, this guy could have figured out how to drive a car in Indonesia, maybe he loves to booty shake in Bangkok, or eat durian buffets; but there is …

This is Part 1, check out Voluntouring in Bicol, Philippines: Part 2
Recently a super typhoon has battered part of the Philippines including the region of Bicol.  Many people have gathered together to make efforts at helping others through the devastating destruction.  GK is making efforts for relief, clean up, and rehabilitation.
In July 2009, I ventured to the Bicol Region in the Philippines to check out some Gawad Kalinga villages (if you don’t know what GK is check out Building Houses with Hope), do some touristy things, eat some chili peppers …

The People’s Democratic Republic of Laos had already impressed me.  The sense of community, the warmness of the people, and the loyalty.  I could observe friends and family members alike helping each other out, caring for each other,  and socializing everywhere.  It seemed to me that the people of Laos really took time to enjoy small and simple things in life like relaxing under a crimson sunset, or watching the consistent calm flow of the Mekong River go by.
I arrived in Luang Prabang early one morning to a magnificent sunrise …