SAILers visiting their village families where they learned the art of sticky rice basket weaving.

Last weekend we went on our first excursion 70km outside of VTE to the countryside of Phongsong. I am indeed “luk xao na” (daughter of a farm girl) so it wasn’t something new to me to see the farmlands of Laos, but there were many things I got to experience that I have never experienced until last weekend. I’d just like to say how incredibly warm and inviting the people of Phongsong are and I am glad to have met all of them. There was a point during the baci ceremony and final speech that I got really choked up and thought I was going to end up in tears. They will forever be in the fabric of my life and their hospitality will never be forgotten.

1. A Hiking We Will Go – My family has farmlands in Southern Laos, but due to its proximity to our house, we drove there the last time I was in Laos. I am glad we got to walk this trail though. The landscape of Laos is just incredibly beautiful. The green and calm of the country is such a contrast of the hustle and bustle of VTE. There was also a beautiful cave full of Buddha images that was awesome to see that was nestled on the side of a cliff. Although the walk was incredibly long, it was so worth it.

2. Fresh Fish – We hiked all the way to the fishing pond. Ake threw out a fishing net and Ryan got to ride in the boat with a few of the local people. Unfortunately, the fish weren’t biting but the ka thoob (small shack) was a welcome sight for tired feet. The cool Lao breeze swept through the ka thoob and eventually lured a few of us to lay down and shut our eyes for a few minutes. I could have spent a lifetime resting there. The owner was kind enough to get some fish on the grill and invited us to eat with him. Fish couldn’t get any fresh than that!

3. Attack of the Ants – On our walk to the fishing pond, we spotted an ants nest so on our way back we decided to attack it! Unfortunately, the ants decided to do the same in return! In the end, we did conquer them and came home with a bag full of ant eggs and lots of ant bites but it was such a fun and funny experience.

4. Rice Farming – The last time I was in Laos, my family joking asked me to stay and rice farm so I am happy to report that the Farm Girl is still in me and I can farm almost like the local farmers. Granted, my rice plants don’t stay up but I can farm pretty quickly. I will say that I am not a fan of the rice caterpillars but the experience was eye opening to the lifestyle of the country folks.

5. Work Hard; Play Harder – It’s no secret that the country folks work hard. Everything they have, everything they need, everything they eat had to use manpower and be cultivated. The people of Phongsong do bamboo handicrafts and plant rice and when a day’s work is done they know how to relax and enjoy themselves. They were kind enough to let us share in some dancing after a wonderful Lao meal the last night. We did a lot of games that allowed us to interact with them and they also invited us to share a few American games with them. We adapted Duck, Duck, Goose and Red Light. Who knew children’s games could be so fun at our age? Honestly though, it was all about the company that we kept and the people of Phongsong were incredible and it will the a lasting memory for all of us that were there last weekend.

First of all, I’d like to apologize for my lack of updates as I Initially I intended to blog about twice a week but the internet connection is not only slow but sporadic at best, but thank you all for following me on this wonderful trip. Please know that I am having a wonderful time here and the memories I have made so far have been so precious. Everyone told me not to have any expectations, but I think this trip has surpassed every and any expectations I may have had.

I feel I have been very blessed here in Laos. I have been very fortunate to have met some incredibly amazing people in the short time I have been here. Although this list is premature, at best, I’d like to highlight the people I have meet currently that have added so much into my life even in the short amount of time I have known them.

1. Attith: A student at LAC. He picked us up the first night, along with our coordinator, Leung Xuan, and has been a lifesaver ever since. He lunches with us when he can and is always available for any questions we may have. He has done everything from tell me stories about each wat we visited to just sitting with us at the LACenter. He has graciously introduced us to so many of his friends and for his and the many friendships, I am grateful.

2. Nang: Also a student at LAC and also works at LACenter. A new but wonderful friend. She is spunky and inquisitive.  She’s amazing at bargaining and I have a few beautiful new sihns because of her. She helps me by checking my Lao homework before class and in return, I try to help by making her read some difficult articles either for Lao History or anything I can find at the LACenter.

3. Ling: She is Ake’s cousin and is awesome. I know I can always count on her. For some reason she always makes me happy when I am around her.

4. Noy: She is a Lao singer that has an amazing organization that helps kids. I love talking to her because she is so straightforward, but I also love what she is doing for the unfortunate kids of Laos. If I am free on Saturdays, I like to go to her camp and learn traditional Lao dancing. I didn’t realize how difficult it was until I started to learn it.

5. Mimi: She’s another one of first faces we met and again awesome. She has taken us to many wonderful restaurants and someone I can go to if I need anything.

Gosh, there aren’t any bad things I can say, as you can see. I have been very blessed and because of these awesome people, my time here so far has been equally awesome. There are so many other people in my life that I have met that have made this trip so incredibly amazing so far. Each person I have spoken to has added so much to my life. For example, my students at Donkoi Development Center that I am teaching at four mornings each week. I feel like I am making such an impact on their lives. They are so robust and for them I want them to know that they have the potential to be and do anything they want. Or the friends at LAC who take time to help with my Lao homework or just sit and chat with me like they’ve known me for years. I have met so many people at the LACenter just by asking them to help me.