Dating Club Struggle Recorded in Shiritori XNUMX Laos Part XNUMX

Dizzy → Laos

I am by no means a Halquist, but among the current authors, I might read Haruki Murakami the most.

I wanted something light to read, so I went to the bookstore at the airport and bought a copy of "What in the world is there in Laos?" to pass the time on the plane.

At least Joe can't read Haruki Murakami's novels casually.

In that respect, this book is a collection of travelogues, and I picked it up thinking that it would be a quick read.

I quickly turned the pages on the plane.

It is basically a collection of travelogues centered on Europe and America, and only Laos in the title is Southeast Asia.

So, start reading from "On the banks of the Great Mekong River", which is the "Laos edition".

It's only a few dozen pages, so it's a quick read.

Compared to other travelogues, it lacks a bit of interesting episodes (Haruki's travelogue was the best, "Far Taiko"), but I was interested in Laos.

Haruki visited Luang Parbang, the capital of Buddhist Laos, rather than the capital Vientiane.

The entire city has been designated as a World Heritage Site, and is said to be a quiet city that is different from the hustle and bustle that tends to be found in Southeast Asia.

I was also interested in the fact that "there's nothing in particular" has been popular with Westerners in recent years.

And I was also interested in the alms that Haruki-san experienced.

When Haruki does alms

"It was like my heart was cleansed."

Write.

Because Joe is sloppy, he wanted to experience it himself.

With that in mind, I got off the plane and headed for Shimbashi to have a meeting with Osamu.

Osamu from the office was a little sunburned.

and the opening

“Joe-san, I went to Laos the other day.”

Surprised by the coincidence, Joe immediately turns back.

"What on earth is there in Laos?"

"As expected, you know Joe, I read that book too."

While saying that, I was handed Laotian coffee and a T-shirt.

"So how was it? Did you do alms?"

"Of course. That's one of the main purposes. That's a good point. Haruki Murakami writes good things. When I give alms, as he says, my heart is cleansed and I want to be grateful for everything." I came back as a different person than I used to be."

Laughter echoes between the two.

But Joe couldn't laugh much in his heart.

Because Osamu-kun, who Joe knows, is a mass of worldly desires more than Joe.

Quickly ending the meeting, Joe booked a flight to Laos on the computer that was already up.

At night, I drank with Osamu and his friends in Shimbashi.

"Tatsu" means Mika-chan, who has revived his relationship with him, and Princess Nana.

The store is an izakaya for office workers in Shimbashi, which is hard to say clean, and the two gorgeous beauties are completely floating, and they are showered with curious glances from those around them.

However, the two of them piled up their cups so that such gazes didn't matter.

When all four of us got drunk, Osamu started with black hoppy in one hand.

“Joe is going to Luang Parbang in Laos to become a true human being like me.

"Hey hey, I don't want you to say that."

"That's right, isn't Joe-san already a real person? He's different from Osamu."

says Mika-chan.

Princess Nana is

"Good, I want to go too."

He said something that I didn't know if he was serious or not.

When I left the pub, I parted ways with Osamu and the others, and walked with Princess Nana to a nearby hotel bar.

Princess Nana cuts out after finishing talking for a while at the bar.

“Next month, I will go to Hanoi for work.

It's really bad.

But the guts to return "no" to Princess Nana's "No?"is not in Joe.

Still, this time I tried to resist only the purpose.

"I've already booked a flight. The schedule doesn't match with the princess."

"Eh, should I just redo the plane? Hey, let's redo it~"

You did a great job!Joe (crying)

The airport in Luang Parbang is smaller than expected and the immigration is only in name.

I went to the lobby after a simple procedure.

The flight from Hanoi had arrived earlier, so Princess Nana was already waiting.

Today's princess is wearing a highly revealing idiot that is forbidden in the Buddhist country of Laos.

Joe remembered meeting at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona last year.

Hug as usual.

The hotel staff was there to pick me up.

Arrived at the hotel booked in about 15 minutes from the airport.

Staying in Luang Parbang is the Aman Group hotel where Mr. Haruki stayed.

The selling point of this hotel is that it is a renovated hospital that was under the rule of France and is a perfect mix of Western and Southeast Asian styles.

There was also a Japanese staff and I received various guidance.

Joe and his friends usually visit during the rainy season, but this year the weather is clear and there is almost no rain.

It actually didn't rain for the three days we stayed.

Lucky for the traveler, he said, "The peasants are crying."

The guided room is a cottage with a pool, which is quite nice.

Well, it's 800 dollars per night, so it's natural (it's the cheapest one in the Aman group).

By the way, 60% of Laotian citizens have an annual income of less than $300.

In other words, this hotel costs more than two years' annual income for many Lao citizens.

I booked this hotel according to Mr. Haruki's recommendation, but at this stage, Joe is full of worldly desires.

After putting down our luggage and having a toast with the beer in the room, both Joe and the princess love the pool, so they immediately get naked and jump into the pool.

The princess's body is still model-like, slender and toned.

Even though it's called a pool, it's about the size of a large bath, so it might be more correct to soak in it rather than swim in it.

Still, it was pleasant to dive in the slightly cold water under the cloudless sky.

And since we're both swimming naked, there's only one thing to do after a short swim.

Joe hugging the princess.

A more sensual kiss than usual.

And following the balcony in Okinawa, I decided to do a standing back in the pool here as well.

Hi, Joe's anguish won't go away.

After the battle (bitter smile), I decided to take a walk around the city.

Rent a bicycle at the hotel and start with a map in hand.

Princess Nana doesn't want to get sunburned, so she wears a big hat with a lot of paint on it, and her clothes are completely protected with almost no exposed parts.

It was nearly XNUMX degrees Celsius that day, and the glaring sun seemed to sting.

It's hot anyway.

Both Joe and the princess were drenched in sweat at this point.

The city of Luang Parbang is only a few kilometers square, so you can go around the city in two hours.

But Joe and his friends parked their bicycles whenever they saw temples dotted around the city.

Temples vary in size, but what is the principal object of worship?There are many Southeast Asian sleek and friendly Buddha statues that look a little silly and cartoonish from the Japanese point of view.

And most of them are statues.

Joe likes Southeast Asian Buddhist statues, although they don't have the dignified feeling of Japanese Buddhist statues.

At first glance, all the faces look the same, but if you look closely, each temple has its own characteristics, which is interesting.

Princess Nana is a drawer, so she opens the sketchbook she brought and enthusiastically sketches.

Looking at the profile of such a princess was more blissful time for Joe than standing back.

It's hot anyway.

I might not say so but how hot today is!

So, when the Mekong River came into view, I entered a riverside cafe and decided to cool off.

Is this area trendy?There were many cafes, and I saw only foreigners, mainly Westerners, on the terrace seats.

In addition to English and French, you can also hear Chinese.

I was guided to my seat and ordered Lao coffee.

A cold cup of coffee will quench your thirst.

Princess Nana opens her sketchbook again and runs a pencil while comparing it with the photos she took.

As for Joe, he just stares at the leisurely flow of the Mekong River, occasionally snapping the shutter when a ship passes by.

Certainly there is nothing in the city of Luang Parbang.

But it's been a long time since I've had such a relaxing time.

"I made it! How about it?"

Hime shows her sketchbook to Joe.

"Oh~, you draw well"

Not flattering.

Joe likes the pictures that Princess Nana draws.

I especially like the solid lines.

I would rather buy a painting of a princess than support a wine business.

But if I make a proposal, it will be implemented 100%, so I won't say it.

I am a small (not small) man.

After returning to the hotel, I jumped into the pool instead of taking a shower.

and dress up for dinner.

The princess wears a bright dress with red scattered on a white background.

The beauty of the princess increases even more.

Then go to the hotel restaurant.

It was getting dark and the heat had eased a little, so I requested a poolside terrace seat.

Take a seat and start with a champagne toast.

And Lao-inspired French cuisine?enjoyed the

All the dishes are delicately flavored, especially the vegetables.

As the meal progresses, the sun begins to set, and the candles on the table illuminate the beautiful face of the princess.

After all, traveling with Princess Nana is fun (continued in the second part).