There are no normal expats in Laos! Too many NGOs, but no expats! ('Normal' because I did meet one but he was just not from our planet.)

I like expats. Hell, my dream is to eventually be one. For travelers they're an endless source of local knowledge... they've been everywhere & seen everything. They know the hidden gems & how to get there. They're exactly what a guidebook should be! In fact, why aren't guidebooks written by expats??? Plus... I know this isn't going to sound right... but for the female traveler, they're interesting company over a free meal.

I've never liked NGOs. I find them stuck-up... they think they know everything about the country & won't admit there's stuff they don't know. They're too young & idealistic to know they're not saving the place from certain utter doom... & might actually be hurting the place. I shouldn't be so hard on them... non-profits (like corporations & organized religion) are inherently evil... they morph these people into idiots.

Laos is filled with NGOs. FILLED!!! And they're all located in the capital. Yet none of the work is here. The hired locals do the work while the westerners apply for the permits. Everything requires a permit & each permit requires a bribe to help it slide thru. And there's lots & lots of wealthy government workers thanks to these great organizations!

I haven't left the capital yet because I found some entertaining NGOs. There's a brand new 8-story building filled with made for NGO executive suites... & this building parties every night. Although I'd rather not actually talk to them in the day, they're kind of fun at night.