The 'hood  is a weird mix of old Lao style homes (wood), 70's soviet style villas, and huge immensely ugly modern Lao houses (cement). And, of course a few American style ranch houses like ours. The neighborhood feels like a small village fast becoming, if it isn't already, a suburb of Vientiane, populated mostly by "farang" (foreign) families, wealthy and not so wealthy Lao and farmers whose lands are highly sought after.  Rice patties are a minute or so away and most roads are not paved. Chickens, goats, dogs, cows, horses,  and all kinds of other smaller creatures run around freely- if you are in need of protein this is a good place to be!  And if  fruits are your thing this is also a great place to be: banana, coconut and papaya trees abound. Just reach out and grab. There is a banana tree grove down and across from us. It also happens to be where the goats and horses tend to "hang out".