The past weekend was a three day weekend, so all the the instructors from Kalasin decided to head up North to of Nong Khai, a town that lies on the border to Thailand and Laos.

We took a private van from Kalasin to Udon, where we encountered some Utah Missionaries who tried to show us the way of the Lord.  We said "no thanks!", and then boarded the next private van from Udon to Nong Khai.  After that drive it seems statistically impossible that we were all alive, but we were.  On MULTIPLE occasions, the van would overtake other vehicles and swerve back into our lane seconds before head on collisions.  

We stayed at this fabulous little hotel/hostel like place on the banks of the Mekong River called the Guest House.  The weekend was spent lounging in hammocks, perusing markets, swimming, and gorging on western food(the owner of the Guest House was a expat British man)!!! I did not think I would ever get tired of Thai food, but hot diggety, a baguette, jam and butter, and blessed SANDWICH, wow people, wow.  We also got a Thai massage and my SWEET LORD, it was heaven, every second of it, for only 180 Bhat ($6.00).  Anyways, being that it was not the most eventful of weekends, here are some photos.

Pretty flags along the Mekong

Seriously bedazzled USA cap, heck yes

Groups of lady boys would hang out here at night

A man and the Mekong

Pretty lights at the market

These bathroom signs really have to go!

Elephant frolicking amongst the lotuses

The Guest House

The group

Where we hung out, at one point, a snake fell from the rafters right into my lap!

Fun statue things