My dream was always to go to Laos before it got Starbucked to death by my people, before a great deluge of tourism washed over its enchantment. I was told to get there fast, before the crowds came. But you can’t reach Laos directly from the UK…
- The opening gambit of Ruby Wax’s “Serene Dream: Ruby Wax thinks big in Thailand and Laos” in The Independent, 19 July 2008.
3 responses so far ↓
1 Compassionate Badger // Jul 20, 2008 at 6:48 am
I’ve been to Laos, but I didn’t see any Starbucks–yet. Maybe there are already a few? Nonetheless, it is a country that everyone should visit for atleast a month!
2 James Haughton // Jul 21, 2008 at 2:23 pm
God, what a snob!
3 Bret Johnston // Jul 25, 2008 at 1:14 am
Isn’t Ruby Wax the American who created the British hit Absolutely Fabulous? How strange, and yes, maybe a bit snobbish, to hear her commenting on Laos in this way. I’m not sure Starbucks is the death knell for authenticity that people think it is. I remember going to a locally-owned (I think) cafe in Luang Prabang that was pretty clearly modeled on something like Starbucks. Then again maybe I should read the piece Wax was quoted in before I say more!
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