Vang Vieng - High Roller

Break out the fine champagne and gold plated monocles, I’m a millionaire*!

It happened innocently enough with a trip to the currency exchange booth. I handed over a few bills, and in return, got this thick fat brick of banknotes (1,064,000 Lao kip to be precise):

So as a newly inducted member of the nouveau riche, I feel it’s my duty, no, my moral obligation to partake in a few grotesque displays of excess. For example, I’m just about to drop thirty grand for a night in a hotel. Maybe I’ll celebrate later by laying down another five large on a cup of coffee or, God forbid, 25,000 on a fine gourmet meal (tuna sandwich and juice).

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to schmooze with the other high society types.

*The current exchange rate is approximately 10,000 Lao Kip to 1 US Dollar. I’m still a no good bum.