There is a really large monument down one of the main streets in Vientiane called Patousai (pronounced like Pat-two-sigh) which means "Gate of Victory." It is often called the 'vertical runway' because it was built from cement given by the CIA to build a runway. It is styled after the French "Arc of Triumph" monument (hence the similarity of the name).
Originally, it had traffic going under it, but the monument was beginning to wear and crack from vehicles. So, the entire area around it was made into a big roundabout with fountains and a small walking area. At night, the fountains are lit up with colored lights and the fountain spurts water to the rhythm of music (which sometimes plays). The monument is also built with two sets of steps that rise into the top of the monument where we are bombarded by gift shops and trinkets. There are two levels to the store; the first is inside the arch and the other is on top of the arch.
This store was on the way to the top of the arch:
This is on top of the arch and the store is to the left:
...and the store on the arch with all the fun little trinkets:
The view at the top is amazing and far reaching with the flat landscape.
And there was some construction going on nearby... fun to watch! This one is for you Mark! (we both enjoyed watching the construction take place):
This is the fountain area and park that the roundabout includes with the Patousai monument.
Several Vietnamese were cleaning the fountain (which I think only comes on at night):
And my favorite in this series... I call it 'Management':
Here are a couple great shots of it at night:
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