savannakhet, la ciudad mestiza / mixed race town

Savannakhet, the second largest city in Laos (75.000 people), is one of these great places where "there's nothing to do", just the pleasure of a stroll by the Mekong at sunset or the taste of a sweet coffee in the early morning with the oldest ones who refresh their french with the few falang who are awake at this time of the day.

In Savannakhet the french flavour is stronger than in other places in Laos, not only can you feel it in its architecture but also in the food, the skins, the eyes... Many locals have french ancestors and that is noticeable in the physiognomies.

Colonial buildings are collapsing everywhere you look, this imprints the city a decrepit atmosphere that I adore. Long ago splendorous maisons are now empty and falling apart or reconverted into barber shops, restaurants or houses.

In this scenery it seems bizarre to contemplate the Buddhist monks in the almsgiving ceremony, they look out of place, because Savvanakhet has above all a caribbean air.