The Journey(s) of Ian

Getting from the capital of Laos to any of its outlying towns is not a difficult task, but one that requires a little planning and knowledge, so to be accomplished without trouble or annoyance. In this case let us examine a trip from Vientiane to Savannakhet. First, a sleeper bus. These depart from the Southern Bus Station, with is a dozen kilometres to the north of Vientiane. The VIP bus departs at 20.30, an overnight sojurn. Tickets can be purchased at any tourist place in the tourist area, or at the bus station itself. Just walk into the station and there are the ticket counters. Most signs are in Loas, but there is sufficient English to find your buss. A ticket is 120,000 Kip (400 baht, $13)—not expensive, however… Each ‘bed’ on the sleeping bus is for two people. Fine, if you are a couple, but if not you will be bunking down with a stranger for your overnight recline. Also, the ‘beds’ are not overly large. For an average height westerner, too short for a comfortable trip. My...

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0360556   This movie review will not hold you to final word suspense. It will not dilly dally on its way to its ultimate opinion. Rather, the truth will be revealed expeditiously. Immediately. Now, in fact. Ta Dar—the movie is great—a true and correct cinematic interpretation of Ray Bradbury’s 1953, short novel, the dystopian masterpiece “Fahrenheit 451”. I first read the novel in high school, where I am sure many others also first read of the terrifying and wilfully illiterate world of the protagonist, Fireman Guy Montag. I also recall seeing at about that same time the 1966 film version by François Truffaut. This was a movie adaptation approved of by the author. Sadly, Bradbury is no longer with us, but what is there about this new version of his novel that renders it successful? The reason for my approval is that the novel’s mood and theme of anti-intellectualism and alienation are successfully transmitted into a near future, all too possib...