We finally had some rain this week to cool off the city. Walking yesterday, I didn’t instantly break into sweat! I have been exploring the city more and more as time goes on and I really have to say I prefer the outskirts to the down-town area. Being down-town I see so many back-packers and other unscrupulous dealings that I am always glad to return. I just wish there were more Lao restaurants near our guest-house!

This week I started volunteering at the National Library. I had wanted to work with the Lao Manuscript Preservation program (Laomanuscripts.net) but I realized I did not have any skills that would contribute. The director of the Library, Aachaan Bounleut did offer me access however, so I am feverishly trying to find a teacher for the Lao tham script in order to read the palm leaf manuscripts.

For me, it is very interesting to see the intellectual life of Vieng Chan. I understand that the country needs so much and some may think it is frivolous of me to work in a library instead of offering more pragmatic help, but I believe in what I’m doing. In a way I think the country can’t help itself until it knows itself. Many at LAC and elsewhere are studying other languages and reading other literature, but I haven’t found anyone who can name their favorite Lao author. Studying other societies is a noble occupation, but not before yourselves! Only Lao will ever understand Lao the way its authors and artists can, so I hope that my work at the Library will be a small contribution to this goal. Next week I hope to travel to the National University, until then – Xok Dee Der!