i haven't been back to france for a long time. >> anthony: when you first came here, what was it like? >> french guy: heh. ah, it was just opened, you know, it was beginning of 2000. >> anthony: what do you mean by "just opened?" >> french guy: before it was very difficult to travel, you know? no, if you have a permit to travel in luang prabang -- >> anthony: right. >> french guy: you can only visit luang prabang. you want to go another province, you need to have a special permit to change, and uh, i had a friend. my friend say, "noel, let's go to laos. it's more protected and more, more, more natural, more authentic." i say, "okay, why not?" the first time i arrived in luang prabang, i was feeling, like ah, indiana jones discovering a beautiful city. and the point is, i fell in love and i couldn't go back. >> anthony: what's your typical day here? like, what -- if you're not working, you're on a good day, you know, sunday. >> french guy: on a good day you have a party. you have a party with old friends, ah, that's before the -- again, there is nothing special to do. it's just a way of life. >> french guy: yeah. training. >> anthony: so how has it changed over the years?