"Can you take me with you?"

Crossed the border again!

I started with Tay Trang in the north of Vietnam to Laos, I crossed the Nam Phao/Cau Treo border to Vinh, then I crossed back again to Lao through Donsavanh/Lao Bao border.

I stayed in Dong Ha for a night after that long 6 hours ride from Vinh. I've met some young people who are full of energy and enthusiasm for the future which is refreshing. They've got a very positive outlook in life including picking me up from the bus station on their bicycles. Hahaha... I am JUST carrying a backpack weighing at least 15kilos and another sling bag with my laptop inside and another grocery bag with some assorted stuff. They were three and the two divided my pack and one of them took me as a backride. I am not that scared of the traffic but of the possibility that we will have a flat tire or two.

Anyway, we made it to the hotel. They brought me to a 2-star hotel which costs 10USD a night. It is not bad - airconditioned, own bath, television with cable, free coffee and tea, and internet connection.

I explored a bit of the city with them and still with bikes. We had nice fruit shakes and of course I ordered for Durian Shake. They took me for breakfast the next day too.

And my time to head back to Laos has come. And I never thought I will have to deal again with the lady who told me that the 85 kilometers from Dong Ha to the border will costs me 150,000 Dong when from Vinh to Dong Ha costed me only 100,000 Dong. C'mon! I did not started traveling yesterday. And so the conversation went like this:

Vietnamese Woman: Oh, you are back. She is my customer.

Me: No. I am looking for the cheapest price to the boundary.

VW: I give you 50,000 Dong. How much you want?

Came another Van with an offer: 40,000 Dong.

VW: OK, OK, 30,000 Dong for you.

I took it. Thrown my pack at the back of the van and sat by the window while the van just makes U-turn after U-turn to get passengers. Then he decided to head to the border after 20-30 minutes.

VW: Hey, you! Money, pay now!

I handed her the 3 10,000-Dongs.

VW: No! 50,000 Dong.

And that was it, she really made me angry!

Me: You said it's only 30,000 Dong that's why I took this van. (With an angry and annoyed tone and finger pointing strong at her)

VW: You said, you said. Give me money... (with a sarcastic tone)

I handed her the money and tried to calm myself down. There is no winning with them but I only handed her 30,000 Dong. Does that mean I won? Hehehe...

At the border: another set of antics!

I asked the lady from the store where I got my water and cigarette about the distance of the border from where I am. They can only say: FAR AWAY! But how far is faraway? 1 kilometer? 2? 3?

Came the xe om driver to the "rescue"... "I'll take you to the border of Vietnam then to the border of Laos for 100,000 Dong." What is wrong with these people?! Do I look stupid to them? NO!!!

I told him that I only need to go to the border of Vietnam and I will walk the distance in between to Laos. He agreed with 10,000 Dong. And I was fooled again! It was less than a kilometer and when I got off he even wanted to ask for more money. When will I get lucky dealing with these people?

Anyways, there I was exiting Vietnam and walked the 300 meters gap in between the border gates. I am finally back to Laos. Until it dawned on me that there were no buses or even cars around. How the hell do I bring my ass to Savannakhet where my travel buddies are?

And there he was, having his passport stamped... "Are you going to Savannakhet?" He said Yes. My next line went like this, "Can you take me with you?" He was startled with the question and I was suprised myself why the hell I asked him that. Desperation most probably. He went to his friend and asked if I can join them. The friend agreed.

Then I've got lucky finally. I found myself in an almost brand new Mercedes Benz Sprinter all the way to Savannakhet and was even dropped near where my friends are. FOR FREE!