Teaching students English at my volunteer work.

Without going much into detail, this week has been the most difficult in terms of my health.  After visiting a clinic yesterday for medication and saline treatment, I am feeling much better and enthused about this weekend’s activities.  Thanks to Toby and Achaan Hommala for accompanying me to the clinic. It was definitely an experience.

Aside from my health, I am enjoying our classes and the close relationships I am building with some of the people I have met here.  I’m finding that Lao people are very quick to offer (medical) advice, what I should have been eating or not eating.  I can’t help but laugh a bit inside while humbly agreeing on the outside.  I think a part of me thinks that I can take care of myself because I have been for the most part in the US.  Here, it seems I am everyone’s brother, son, nephew, or grandson.  I guess people really care.  Even at the clinic, people seemed to be much more personable than some places I’ve been to in the U.S.

I have to mention that one of the highlights of last week was visiting the Children’s Educational Development Center whose director is the daughter of the famed Maha Sila Viravong.  The children that performed a few scenes from the Sinxay drama were absolutely amazing.  They all had an incredible passion for Lao literature. It was great to see the Lao arts alive and well.  Volunteer work, teaching children English, is going well.  The more I know about their personal struggles, the more I in awe of their smiling faces everyday.  It makes me feel so fortunate to have what I have.

We’ll be heading out to the countryside tomorrow.  I’ll tell you all about it next week!