Posted 8 years ago
Peasejean55
(413 items)
While I was in Laos, I went to Luang Prabang, it's an amazing city, I loved it.
One evening we went down to the night market, I came across these bracelets. I already knew what they were made from, cluster bombs.
I hadn't realised that there was a secret war in Laos. From 1964 to 1973 there was more than 250 million tons of ordnance dropped on Laos, making Laos the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. The bombings destroyed many villages and displaced hundreds of thousands of Lao civilians during this nine-year period.
Wherever I went in Laos there was evidence of these bombs, for instance the local people made drinking troughs for their animals, out of the larger bomb casing, very ingenious people.
At the night market I bought these bracelets, they also sell forks, key rings and many more items. The piece of paper I've put on explains how they are recycling these bombs and making them into peaceful items and benefiting the local communities.
Yet today there are several fatalities each year, it will take many decades to clear these cluster bombs. I suppose what I found most interesting that there was no animosity, the people said what was done was done, they just wanted to get on with their lives.
All weapons are terrible, cluster bombs in particular. History is something that we should all learn from.
Many thanks for looking.
How interesting - I had no idea.
No I didn't either. I suppose that's what they mean when they say travel opens your horizons. Thanks Bonnie for popping by.
Great infos here, Jean, and what a great idea they had, as you said, in recycling the bombs into peaceful pieces...
Tingling sound of the bangles will hopefully overcome the awful noises of this war...
Hi kyra, I think it's a wonderful idea to recycle and help the local communities.
The U.S. is the only country or of just several who refuses to sign the ban on using these.
Great post .
This reminds me, I've read that in Japan, after World War II, the Japanese used the steel from American bomb casings to make shovels and other farming tools.
Yes, I remember, in the early or mid '70s, seeing on the news on TV that America was not supposed to cross into Laos. It caused an uproar and even more intensified protests here in America, but the U.S. government went ahead and continued dropping bombs on Laos, anyway. Will we Americans ever see an end to war? Sigh. No wonder so much of the world detests America.
Love these Jean. Simple, pretty, evocative and meaningful reminders of your holiday.
So interesting Jean, thanks for sharing!
Learned something today - very interesting indeed.
Thank you blunderbuss, Caperkid, NevadaBlades, Karen, Rick and Gillian, for your interesting comments.
Thank you valentino for your comment. I think it is very important that we address these disgusting weapons, I know while Princess Diana was alive she tried very hard to get countries to ban the use of them. But alas there are still countries that still have these awful weapons in there arsenal.
The United States is the MAIN OFFENDER & almost the only one ! Start your campaign at home.
I don't understand your comment blunderbuss, I'm from the UK as far as I'm aware we signed the treaty against the use of cluster bombs.
I'm aware Pease that the UK did & if you read my comment, only 1 country is mentioned, and it isn't the UK. What point do you not understand ?
The point, Start your campaign at home.
Many thanks
Efesgirl
TassieDevil
melaniej
kyra
pebble
Caperkid
Scott
vetraio
NevadaBlades
Gillian
vintagelamp
fleafinder
Vintageforever
valentino
Rick
SEAN