They are still
here, the French. Just below the surface of any untouched urban space in Laos
are the majestic villas and churches left by them. There are even some funky
art-deco cinemas!
A peaceful
provincial backwater like Savannakhet will boast an excellent French
restaurant. Vientiane may be raging battle to wipe out this legacy but the
French were here and they will always be here.
We spent some
time in Savannakhet church. Calm, quiet and untouched except for the new floor
tiles which belong in a bathroom.
Here are some
images of The Way France Was.
What is left of
her is beautiful, tragic. Sometimes you get glimpses of electric fixtures from
the fifties, awnings and colourful brick walls. She always strikes a chord,
leaving an echo in my heart.
Many thanks to
my brother-in-law, Marc Boneu who took many of these photos and allowed me to
use his camera.
No comments:
Post a Comment