| Half Way Around the word without a plane |
Traces of Indochina...Indochina...a very colonialist word for the french...but also remembering a time and world which are still influencing the daily life of inhabitants of Cambodia and Laos. Here, the older people speak really good french, as most of them were educated in french. In Cambodia, it is a bit more complicated, beacause a lot of the more educated, french speaking people were killed by the Khmer rouges. But in Laos, it seems that every old people can speak at least some french!
Administrations and Schools have bilingual signs. In the more touristy places, they also have english, sometimes Everywhere, colonial architecture, resembling the french architecture of the 20s to 50s, can be seen for administration buildings or posh houses. One of the most spectacular sights is that of Bokor resort, which used to be a hill station during the french rule, complete with the post office (built on the same model as the one of my home town!), the church and a luxurious Hotel-Casino. This has all turned to a Gost city (which can be seen in the eponymus movie), especially after fights between the Khmer Rouges and the Vietnameses.
View over the church from the Gost Casino
Those symbol of a long lost peace have been conquered by the vegetation over the years and are now being used by the locals...althought they only use one room, leaving the building to its ruined state...
A cousin of the house of Tati's "My Oncle" movie...(some french reference...but I think that movie might be famous internationally)
Alain Delon! This famous french actor, which was the equivalent of Di Caprio or Pitt in his young time, gave his name to cigarets brand, and less glamour, to underwears.
The "cafe-en-terrace"(cafes with outdoor seating) concept Mostly patroned by men, they offer cafe, tea and beer throughout the day.The clients sit on low tables and chairs, looking at the street. Some play cards, others just watch TV... French Baguette This french delicacy can be found everywhere and is quite tasty. In the morning, the people buy their Baguette, filled with "pate", "cheese" or jam(more for the tourists), from little carts in the streets.
The Pétanque When the sun goes down, the men gather to the Petanque terrain. Looking like Pro, long discussions, a bit of exageration...you get all the ingredients for an exiting Petanque Game...only the "Pastis" (traditional anisi drink) is missing!!!
Finally, after travelling all those backward countries who drive on the right handside, we arrive in a truly civilized country who drives on the left!!!  (althought the roads are such a mess, it's hard to be sure...especially if they use a Thai car which has the wheel on the other side!!!). Sorry, guys, I must stop here, our game of petanque is starting... 01:01 - 1/05/2007 - Ajouter un commentaire
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From New-Caledonia to France without using a plane.
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