Laos is Quaint

When we toured the former royal palace, I expected everything to feel royal. That is, I thought we’d see high ceilings and fancy curtains and staid-looking portraits in gilded frames.

Which we did. The place had a European feel—no surprise, considering that much of it was designed and built by the French.

On leaving, though, I noticed a little touch that threw me off. Everything else we saw had at least belonged in that setting, even though occasional shabbiness hinted that it had been some time since Laos had had either the means, or the motivation, to glorify its rulers. But the mat on the threshold of the main entry just didn’t fit. One doesn’t normally find such accessories in SE Asia in the first place, but especially not ones featuring four cute little doggie faces, and the English word, “Welcome” in one corner.