"One does not need buildings, money, power, or status to practice the Art of Peace. Heaven is right where you are standing, and that is the place to train."
Morihei Ueshiba
International travels tend to be an experience to cherish and learn from since its usually the first time we come across cultures distinctly different from ours. More so when that country is a country that is not frequented by people from your own country. One such country that i visited is Laos. This little known country has so far been overlooked but has incredible potential.
The first thing noticeable on the drive from the airport is that the people in this country do not believe in rushing around to accomplish tasks, they take their time and work effectively. Being from India where a walk along a main road in Mumbai reminds you of rabbits scampering in a hurry at the sight of a predator with people in a perennial rush, The rush to get from one place to another,to accomplish something, to leave a mark, the chance to slow down did feel good, but what is more amazing is that people in Laos are happier than people in India, not having to worry as much about accomplishments. The pace of life at Laos is undeniably better and healthier than that of India
On staying for a while, i realized that in Laos, women truly run the country in all but name. The society is seemingly matriarchal with women manning establishments and running companies, again a marked departure from India where women have only recently started coming to the fore and where women security is still an issue. The freedom and security possessed by the women in Laos if allowed in India could possibly turn India into a much more stable and efficient state.
Besides these major differences, the people in Laos have system of living which is reminiscent of the older Indian system of living where people living in a community gather together and talk in the evenings, a very simple and peaceful way of life showing how technology can and does coexist with normal social interactions given the right inputs.
After the visit to Laos i went to Bangkok and the culture shock was huge. The huge difference in pace, the sudden increase in visible population, the traffic, the integrity of people. People in Laos are more honest than the money minded madness in cities like Mumbai and Bangkok and makes me realize its better to be happy and live a simpler life than to run around frantically trying to achieve something.
"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going to fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why."
Eddie Cantor
Morihei Ueshiba
International travels tend to be an experience to cherish and learn from since its usually the first time we come across cultures distinctly different from ours. More so when that country is a country that is not frequented by people from your own country. One such country that i visited is Laos. This little known country has so far been overlooked but has incredible potential.
The first thing noticeable on the drive from the airport is that the people in this country do not believe in rushing around to accomplish tasks, they take their time and work effectively. Being from India where a walk along a main road in Mumbai reminds you of rabbits scampering in a hurry at the sight of a predator with people in a perennial rush, The rush to get from one place to another,to accomplish something, to leave a mark, the chance to slow down did feel good, but what is more amazing is that people in Laos are happier than people in India, not having to worry as much about accomplishments. The pace of life at Laos is undeniably better and healthier than that of India
On staying for a while, i realized that in Laos, women truly run the country in all but name. The society is seemingly matriarchal with women manning establishments and running companies, again a marked departure from India where women have only recently started coming to the fore and where women security is still an issue. The freedom and security possessed by the women in Laos if allowed in India could possibly turn India into a much more stable and efficient state.
Besides these major differences, the people in Laos have system of living which is reminiscent of the older Indian system of living where people living in a community gather together and talk in the evenings, a very simple and peaceful way of life showing how technology can and does coexist with normal social interactions given the right inputs.
After the visit to Laos i went to Bangkok and the culture shock was huge. The huge difference in pace, the sudden increase in visible population, the traffic, the integrity of people. People in Laos are more honest than the money minded madness in cities like Mumbai and Bangkok and makes me realize its better to be happy and live a simpler life than to run around frantically trying to achieve something.
"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going to fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why."
Eddie Cantor
