Laos is a country that loves wires –
This picture was taken in Vientiane in a not particularly attractive area, but it was the same story in Luang Prabang, which is a UNESCO world heritage town, full of monks and magnificent temples, called Wats –
all gilded and carved and generally very splendid.
So I wondered who decided that the ambiance and picture-postcard quality of the town would be enhanced by massive quantities of overhead wiring –
Even Buddha thinks it’s a bit much and has resolutely turned his back and closed his eyes.
It’s hard to get a picture of some of the Wats without a crisscross of wiring around them, which spoils the effect somewhat. And since all the monks in the thirty-plus Wats are supposed to lead a simple life, begging for food, praying and meditating, why do they need so much electricity anyway?
Then I climbed a hill to watch the sun set over the Mekong –
And I was pleased to see that they haven’t strung any wires across the river … yet.