Today was travel Laos style at it's absolute worst.
The sawngthaew left Vieng Thong at 7am headed for Sam Nuea - a total of 7 hours travel. We were traveling through mountains, on winding roads, up and down for hours and hours. I counted a total of 20 people on board, in a truck made for hmmm, maybe 13....
It was bitterly cold. Sitting outside with the wind in my face was not a pleasant experience. It would have sucked for 30 minutes. After 7 hours it really was getting old.
Everyone in the truck was cuddling their neighbor for warmth. I was sat with my feet on a bag of rice, knees around my ears, and some dude's butt ON TOP of my feet. But guess what, I didn't care - because it was warm. The lady next to me had her arm around me and her head on my shoulder. Opposite Toby's neighbor was drooling on him.
The only way to endure was, as Michael suggested, by finding our very own 'Happy Place'. Somewhere in the mind where all external factors can be ignored.
Favorite moment: The lady with her head on my shoulder leans over and clears both nostrils onto the dirt, then follows this with a MASSIVE spit ball phlem thingy - 3 inches from my ear.
Happy Birthday to Me!