Heck Yeah... (or 'Heck Yes' as the higher ups demand it be called)

Ok, so we have a couple stores in Pakse that are key to our survival. One such store has an extremely long name in Lao (actually, I don't know if that is a name or just an advertisement) SO, the team nicknamed it "Heck Yes!" (and I've wrangled the name from the legalists to start calling it "Heck Yeah!" Actually, I think I'm the only one who deviates, but I do it for their sanctification).

Its in a great location just about 2 kilometers away from us; it sits across from our favorite ANZ bank (which is the only bank that has 2 million kip withdrawals = ~US$240), the main market in Pakse, the chinese restaurant, and a great electronics store (that surprisingly sells Mac stuff and a host of computer accessories). There is also a great Seen-Dat restaurant next to it that I love going to, but unfortunately the rest of my team does not always enjoy going with me because I eat so much food there (its a little expensive). It is just down the road from Champassak Stadium and one of only five stoplights in all Pakse.
All this to say, Heck Yeah is a great little store for many reasons, one being location!

This store is the ONE place where we can buy peanut butter, cheese, brownie mix, BREAD (woohoo! EXCLUSIVELY at Heck Yeah) and several other American food items that are unavailable at other stores. All their stuff actually comes from Thailand, but it just makes us feel a little more comfortable in the land of strange Lao food. What store has that 'normal' American food item you ask?... Heck Yeah!

But, its also the little things that make it so precious to us!!! Like the fact that they sell Coke in cases of 24 (its an addiction of Russell's and mine!) and have Hershey's Chocolate Syrup!

Coke sells for about 4,000 kip per can (US $0.47) and Hersheys sells for about 45,000 kip (roughly US $5). Bread is about 15,000 kip (US $2) and Peanut Butter is a mere 45,000 for a small jar. Yes, we pay $5 for a very small jar of Peanut Butter making PB&J sandwiches or Peanut Butter & crackers a guilty pleasure (kinda). Amazing, but Peanut Butter has only been available for about 9 months or so.

One last factoid for the store. If you buy a total of roughly 200,000 kip or more (US $23) they give you a little bonus... twice now I've gotten coffee mugs and once I got a microwavable glass bowl with lid. Awesome... that's all that can be said... awesome!

So, that's why we say "Heck Yeeeaaah!"