Patuxai monument just after sunrise.
(Lao's answer to the Arc de Triomphe)
Lao is a communist country. The Lao Federation of Trade Unions (LFTU) is a Government department. The first of May is Labour Day and I happen to be in Vientaine. A friend Sarah is teaching English at LFTU and asks if I would like to go to the Labour day march starting at 6am? An offerI just couldn't refuse. (Least of all because I can't wait for my brothers reaction)
So up at 5am and walk down to the Patuxai Monument, the Lao equivalent of the Arc de Triumph.
Met up with Sarah and her work colleagues and donned the obligatory blue t shirt. A few speeches, a quick lap to the Presidential Palace and back, a few more speeches and presentations, and that's about it, off to Joma for breakfast.
The main theme for today's march was education about the damaging effects of asbestos. I thought this would mean for people who had worked with it in the past, or for people who are removing it from older buildings. BUT asbestos is still being imported into Laos and used in building construction work. It hasn't yet been banned in any south east Asian countries. What criminals/murderers these companies are when they know the effects of asbestos.
Launch the balloons and the march can start.
I met Sarah about 6 months ago through the lovely Stef who
was on the tour I did in Uzbekistan. Stef “just happened to know” a woman who
was coming to teach in Vientiane the
capital of Laos. Small world once again.
Well Sarah and I have met up a few times and email to swap experiences.
Of course I had to take photos, including the hammer and cycle flag, especially for my brother who has already started calling me comrade!
Heading back from the Presidential Palace
People in the blue and orange uniforms are the volunteer ambulance and rescue service.
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