Stuff about Luang Prabang

This is why tourism sucks: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/15/world/asia/15laos.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

I love traveling as much (if not more) than the next person, but it is a tenuous activity. Even if you embrace the culture while you're there, you're still changing that same culture by being there. Go anywhere that is off-the-beaten path and you are in effect, beating the path down and making that place what you are trying to escape.

It's sad to see and even more sad to be a part of. 100 years from now, if the Earth makes it that long, we will be one gigantic strip mall of Starbucks, McDonalds and KFCs.

On the other side though, if poorer places like Luang Prabang (and Laos in general), can lift their standard of living by inviting tourism (consequently sacrificing their culture), isn't that their prerogative? Who are we to say whether that is a bad thing or a good thing. It's a delicate balance w/ no clear answer unfortunately.

Anyway, it's sad to hear that Luang Prabang is losing it's culture b/c of too many tourists. However, it's only sad to me b/c I've been there already and been one of those tourists, so what does that make me?

If you are gonna go there, make sure to check out the 2 sets of waterfalls outside of the city. Stunning and great swimming holes.