PhonSavan

Just arrived here today...in the rain hoping tomor will clear and we can see Plain of Jars! Did get to see three sites of the Plain of Jars...I think it is no mystery, jars are part of burial/cemetary from 2,500 years ago that had contents removed by robbers. Lids are all removed or jars broken, researchers have found bone fragments and some pottery/swords etc. near some jars. All locations are fairly high in the hills overlooking countryside. It was also interesting to see the hundreds of bomb craters and hear about the continuing problem of unexploded ordinance which causes injury and death to locals every month. The cluster bombs which were dropped had upwards of 1,000 bomblets and they figure as many as 30% remained unexploded after the war. Now the steel is being salvaged by poor rural village people who get 1,000 KIP or 10cents per bomblet which amounts to quite a lot considering that the average income in the rural areas is less than $300 per year per family...a child bringing in 10 cents per day can contribute over 10% to the family's total income!(if he/she does not die or get permanently maimed in the process).

11/26/2004

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