Quote: (10-08-2014 05:34 AM)Papi Rico Wrote:
The only thing lacking would be the networking opportunities and support systems found in said cities.
It has been a few years since I was in Laos, but there did seem to be some decent networking opportunities when I was there. The expat crowd doing business was more of the boots-on-the ground, pioneer country type of entrepreneur than the digital nomad and multi-national business type, though, so unless you're into commodities or something, maybe not the best fit. The guys there taking advantage of opportunity seemed to be having a blast - they come across as a bit stand-offish to outsiders, so maybe they don't want to share, but you stick around and inevitably one or two in these groups starts welcoming you in.
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All you need to do is to roll into Vientiane, impress one girl with a powerful daddy, and you've unlocked a world beyond your wildest dreams (imaginative speculation).
Landing those girls will come with its challenges, but buddying up with the powerful may not be that imaginative, actually. My first time there, I made friends with a restaurant owner who, it turned out, had what sounded like a pretty solid position in the government. He had studied in Russia and owned some places in Japan as well, which his son ran.
I first met his wife and daughter-in-law when I broke the ice with them to get in with the girl, then I met the son and dad when when they showed up, at which point I'd already charmed the women. The guy had a real serious demeanour but he must have liked me because he ended up buying me a ticket to the SEA games, which were being put on at the new stadium at the time. I thought we'd have a group, but it turned out to be just him and I.
Drank some brews in his plush ride on the way and watched the games - otherwise uneventful, but it was a business lead I probably could have done a lot with had I stayed in the country. They had a hotel they were going to give me a free room in to run some online marketing for some of their businesses, and he said if I could bring in biz online he could introduce me to a bunch of people around town and help me get the proper licensing. Nice guy. Laos wasn't for me at the time, so I didn't stick around, but maybe some other day.
Quote: (10-08-2014 05:34 AM)Papi Rico Wrote:
Quote: (04-07-2012 10:47 PM)Beyond Borders Wrote:
...if you're into the international playboy thing only and looking for cities that pop off and have tons of hot, stylish women, this is not it.
Agreed. However, you can take the "international", but never the "playboy" out of "international playboy". Dates with seemingly well-to-do locals have been extremely easy to line up, given the extreme shortage of younger, non-backpacker guys here. I ran a few coffee shop approaches and used a couple dating apps to book my week. Apart from getting a hard-on from chasing high-end tail, I love chasing rare flags. I'm determined to smash a local in Lao, and it seems that with proper planning and careful execution, the chances of something going awry are extremely low.
Just a pass-through for me, but will report back on any further items worth noting.
Good to hear. Times have definitely changed because I don't think there were many Laos women on online dating sites at all just a few years ago. The girls are a go though. It's definitely not that hard to pull ass there - just use common sense about not rubbing it in people's faces too much.
Beyond All Seas
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling