Tranquilize yourself with mystical wats and royal hedonism of Laos

If traffic snarls, shops lined with fake Louis Vuitton handbags and the doof-doof sound from open bars and clubs is not your style of vacationing in south-east Asia, then head to Luang Prabang, at the confluence of Mekong and Nam Khan river, nestling its 28,000 residents, numerous beautiful wats (temples) and saffron-robed monks.


The pace is slow, relaxed and life-like. The air smells raw and natural. People are honest, courteous and chilled-out. Though the place is fast developing, like most countries in this part of the world, it has so far managed to keep its values and traditions intact. You can still see monks, at dawn each morning, walking barefoot through the silent streets of Luang Prabang, with their alms bowls accepting food. It is a strict ritual they are expected to follow diligently. You can still cross the river on fragile bamboo bridges. You can still meet souls that value principles over money.


Very few places on this planet have a unique mix of old charming roads, beautiful architecture, great food and welcoming people, while not swamped with tourist buses.


Its main historic center - Luang Prabang was hit hard in 1893 after attacks from the Chinese and the king sought protection from the French, whose grand European architecture still stands alongside the existing temples. The last king lost his throne, as well as his life, when the communists seized control of the French colony. After all the dust was settled, Luang Prabang was open to tourism only two decades ago and was bestowed with UNESCO world heritage status in 1995, which has helped the city to preserve and enhance its old charm as well as gain recognition with international travelers.


There are plenty of places to experience the colonial past and the French influence. Many restored colonial buildings - that includes the former royal palace, former jail and detention center, a French hospital- all of which have transformed into "experience of a lifetime" hotels.


Take a stroll on the banks of Mekong, laze around in small cafe across the Nam Khan river and then finally spend the evening savoring Mekong sea weeds and Lao beer, watching the sun shy away into the mountains across the Mekong, splashing beautiful orange strokes in the sky.


It was also interesting, though it may come as a surprise to many people living in fast-paced, concrete verticals of large metro cities, that these people are truly happy even with their minimal lifestyle. Their faces radiating contentment and gratitude to this wonderful thing, called life.


Though i could only visit Vientiane and Luang Prabang, I am sure there are other interesting places to visit in Laos. Some recommendations for people interested in food


Vientiane
Amphone - Probably the best restaurant for Lao cuisine. The setting and decor is simple but elegant. The menu small but interesting enough, even for Anthony Bourdain who picked up this restaurant to introduce Lao cuisine in his show "No reservations"
La Silapa - Small, elegant and romantic French restaurant with some classic French food.
Jomo Bakery - Probably the most popular hang out for all tourists. Bakery items are average but have an extensive menu, and just the casual ambiance is good enough to hang out for few hours every day


Luang Prabang
L'elephant - Definitely a place to enjoy Lao as well as French food.
Dyen Sabai - Some interesting traditional Lao food but just the journey to this restaurant as well as the location makes it special.
3 Nagas and mango tree - Decent food but great ambiance, especially if you get a table under the mango tree
Nameless - There is one small joint in front of L'elephant which serves one of the best noodle soups.


Countless street-side stalls - The best Lao food is served in countless small restaurants that you won't find in lonely planet. People are friendly and happy to cook anything that you like. 


Put Laos on your bucket list and visit this natural beauty before mankind spoils it, with its quest of erecting buildings that touch the moon.

What is your number Mr.Banker?

How best to describe investment banking industry is a million dollar question? Is it a roller coaster ride that makes you feel jittery as it goes up, like you cant breathe without screaming but still smiling, it is scary yet fun, an adrenaline rush; or is it like playing a video game where losing to your competitor bestows the darkest reputation, where winning is everything and where you constantly strive to move to the next level?

 I think investment banking is nothing more than a number game and every person part of this industry is a number as well. If you are a banker, your only identity is a number; it can be the bonus number, the grade number, stock options number, the profitability number, the head count number or the pink slip number. You are a headcount, you are a cost, and you are a money-making machine. You are everything but human.  
 
In a good year, you are million-dollar something and in bad times you are a cost that needs to be cut. In recent times, many banks around the world have been “cutting cost” to keep the bottom line profitable. It is very cyclical process and anyone who has worked in this industry for few years has been part of it, either as a player or a spectator.  
 
On a chop-chop day, there is a pin-drop silence in the office. It’s like watching a suspense thriller when you are scared to death but do not want to be the first one to scream.  Then your phone rings and you are called into a meeting room; the room that you never knew existed. You meet the HR person; the person that you never knew worked at your firm. You are given the same standard old crap; the crap that you have heard or told many times. If someone could echo your mind in the room, it would go like this: "You have been a valuable part of this firm” (right, what you do know of value?), "Times are tough and company has no other choice" (why aren’t you fired, you do nothing valuable), "I’m sure you understand” (jeez, I just paid for my new Porsche) etc. I think you can pretty much write a standard script and let a robot read it out. Then you are given the magic number, something called "severance package" and the HR strikes off one more number from the list. 

For the next few months, central banks around the world comes together to save the doomed world.  Money is printed so that banks can make money. Banks become extremely bullish and everyone starts fighting to hire everyone on the street. Head hunters are calling the same person they placed two months ago. Anyone who walks in for an interview walks out with a job offer. Everyone gets hired, and rehired, with bigger dreams than they ever dreamt. They all start buying million dollar villas, fancy suits, expensive cars and flashing their business cards to girls in bars. It’s as cyclical as it can get. 
"Its all about bucks kid, the rest is all conversation". 

Reminds me of Mr.Gekko from Wallstreet: 
“How much is enough” 
“It’s not a question of enough, pal. It’s a zero sum game, somebody wins, somebody looses. Money itself isn’t lost or made, it’s simply transferred from one perception to another” 

 


Here is another interesting story from the fascinating world of investment banking about a girl who switched to exotic dancing post-Lehman collapse. 
http://hereisthecity.com/2012/02/16/investment-banker-to-exotic-dancer-chapter-1/