SAILers visiting the That Luang stupa.

The excitement was palpable from the time we lifted off in San Francisco. For 6 SAILers, the trip had finally become a reality — they were on their way to Laos. Plenty of chatting on the plane as they got to know each other, and began to feel at ease. Landing in Bangkok was too close for them and their excitement got the best of them. They ventured out to explore around the hotel rather than rest up for the final leg. The next morning they were ready to go, all of them sporting their Center for Lao Studies t-shirts for their arrival in Laos. Clearly they were proud to be introduced to Laos as part of this group, and this inaugural trip, and right then, I knew this group was special.

And now that we’ve been in Laos for 5 solid days now, and I’ve got to observe them in their new home, and get to know them better, I realize my initial impressions of them were not wrong. For me, returning to Laos after having lived here several years ago was excitement in itself. I had heard how Vientiane had changed so much. Had become so much more developed. They were hosting the SEA Games this year after all! I was curious to see if I would recognize it, excited to see the things that were familiar to me, to see Lao friends I had left behind. But coming back this time has been so much more. Yes, it’s great to ride the crazy tuk-tuks, walk down the street and watch a quick “sabaydii” turn into a 10 minute conversation with a stranger, eat khao lam and mangosteens, and sleep with the rain hammering down so hard you think the roof will collapse any minute.  But now I get to see it through the eyes of 6 newcomers and the experience is so much more meaningful. I am not Lao, but I know and love Laos, and guiding and watching those who have a biological connection to the country experience it has been incredible. It is thrilling for me to see those who have Lao in their blood, and who have all shared such amazing stories about their lives and why they have chosen to be a part of this program, react to and embrace a part of their history they have never known themselves.

Their willingness and openness and genuine interest in everything they encounter makes me dedicated to doing all I can to make their experience the best it can be. Although I have been their main connection to the city, they too have taken incredible initiative in creating their own experience, and all within 5 days. Their passion and commitment to being here and getting the most out of it is evident:

For the past few nights, while the rest of the SAILers study their Lao upstairs in our guesthouse, Amy has been downstairs chatting with whomever she can — usually the Lao man working the front desk, intent on improving her accent and vocabulary quickly. Yaengsaeng, whose Leu was better than her Lao when she arrived, now sounds like a native Lao and is an expert negotiator, especially with the tuk-tuk drivers. She is confident and at ease among the Lao, and acts as if she’s always lived here. Vatsana has embraced being a student at Lao-American College and motivated the group to buy “LAC” neckties which they all wore today. She was the first to get a sinh and is becoming more Lao by the minute. Brandin will be the first among them to read and write in Lao, studying assiduously every night. Soon he will be writing long letters to his grandparents! Sandra, with her carefree spirit and open heart, is a favorite among her new Lao friends as well as the tuk-tuk drivers when she seats herself down next to them in the front seat and chats away. Eileen, the youngest of the group, has held her own well among the older SAILers and no doubt will grow immensely while she’s here. We’re so happy she’s taken advantage of this opportunity. Not to sound sappy, but I am so proud of this group. I am so proud to be their trip leader. I am so proud to represent them. I’m so proud of how they hold themselves and present themselves, and how they have thrown themselves whole-heartedly into their experience, whatever it may be and whatever it will bring.

So please follow our SAILers’ blogs to see where the experience takes them! We’ve got a big weekend ahead of us with lots of social engagements including a friend’s baci ceremony, a dinner hosted by a Lao-American couple, a visit to a children’s arts center and a BBQ with our new LAC friends! Many more stories to come.

With that, xok dii tuk khon from Laos!