It’s Friday night and time to let off steam! So off we trotted down to the local village where one of the bars has a Karaoke evening. It’s loud, it’s packed, and to begin with all the songs are in Lao. Well, I suppose some might call it singing, but to our western ears, it’s more a kind of shouting such as you might hear from the kitchen of a Chinese restaurant, only set to music.
Most of the local patrons have been eating and drinking since sunset. They are somewhat ‘merry’. So we find ourselves a table, order some beers, and settle down to watch their antics. Surprisingly, one group are wearing police uniforms, yet they’re quite prepared to drive themselves back home! No wonder the received wisdom here is never accept a lift from a Lao person.
Finally, the drunks have had enough, and the ‘foreigners’ are allowed to reprogram the karaoke machine. Two microphones are handed out, and the playlist is scrutinised. There’s a mix of rave music, rap and some recent chart hits. Some excellent ‘oldies’ too, from the 80’s and 90’s and even earlier. Who can’t resist a singalong to Abba or Elton John? For my turn, it’s Roy Orbison with ‘Pretty Woman’. En masse we then decide to murder some Amy Winehouse. Absolutely hilarious, as no one can get the timing right: words appear on the big screen, but there’s no indication when each phrase begins or ends. And we fail utterly to match the singing with the melody. Never mind, we’re having fun.
At 10 o’clock sharp, the owner calls time and turns off the sound. Oh well, time to stagger back home by the light of the stars. It’s dark around here once the sun goes down, and the roads are a mass of potholes. A final beer before bed and that wraps it up for another week. Sorry, so no photos this time as I have to protect the innocent!
10 Nov 2019