I’m avoiding writing this post because it means that my days in Laos are getting smaller by the day. Today was the final day at LAC and we celebrated with the people that have made this trip a wonderful experience. There are things I want to say that simply cannot be formed correctly nor elegantly enough. There is an impending feeling of doom that only comes with knowing that these are my last few days. I hope I have done enough and given enough that there are proud people that have been reading along. It’s been an amazing trip and I know that I will be back.

I will surely miss the sights and sounds and people that have come into our lives so gracefully and have changed us for the better. Our teachers and the staff at LAC, our friends and family, and Lung Xuan -  I hope they all know that we are grateful for their friendships, support and  love. This feeling is why I keep coming back to Laos and I hope that all know that they will forever be a part of our lives. I leave this country a better person because of everyone that have crossed our paths.

Ake, Ryan, and Sack – Thank you thank you thank you for being there for me always during our time together in Laos and for your friendships. I feel really lucky to have been surrounded by such amazing people. I will miss seeing your faces everyday and the crazy antics that only we can create together. The road does not end here for us and I am positive that each and every one of you will do amazing and great things both in the States and in Laos.

Lastly, thank you all of you that have been reading. Thank you for supporting me and please support CLS and the wonderful things it can offer.

After a wonderful and short trip to Luang Prabang, I am going to have to name it my favorite Lao city, even if it is premature and even if there were some unpleasant parts of the trip.

Sack, Ryan, Natalie and I took an overnight bus after school last Thursday. We finally got there 13 hours later and found a place to stay. I will say that when I woke up on Friday morning there was a hint of regret only because I could hear it pouring outside. I didn’t pay money to come sleep in another guesthouse. Amazingly the rain let up and Sack and I went exploring. We got some amazing noodles and then decided to see some temples. As a world heritage city, there were many beautiful temples to visit. Besides the temples, we also went to a cave by boat that had many Buddha images. The boat ride was beautiful with miles and miles of forestery as far as the eye can see on every side.

The trip home was crazy, but I am glad we got to experience it. I sat at the top front of the VIP bus and the views were breathtaking. I hope to make the trip again one day.

I have been to many conferences in my short life, and I swear I am not trying to brown-nose when I say that the 3rd International Conference on Lao Studies in Khon Kaen, Thailand was probably the best conference I have been to in a long time. Five reasons why I enjoyed the conference.

1. It was well organized. Like any professional gathering, there are bound to be bumps along the way, and should there have been any at this conference, they went unnoticed by me. The SAILers were able to also be a part of it by helping out with registration. It was a nice way to meet some of the participants and presenters.

2. Great panels. I have never been to a Lao Studies Conference but I am happy to report that I went to many presentations that were wonderful on the subject of Laos. Unfortunately, because of the large number of presenters, there were a few that I had to miss but I am confident that they would have been as exceptional as the ones I did get to attend.

3. Awesome receptions. Luckily I got to go to two awesome receptions – 1) Center for Laos Studies Reception and 2) Conference Reception. The CLS reception was amazing because it was for an organization we are all a part of. CLS is a young organization but it has grown into such an amazing one. We also got to share with everyone during a presentation what we have done so far in the SAIL program. We also got to showcase our reading/singing skills by singing two songs that our teachers have taught us. The conference reception was just beautiful. There was a beautiful fashion show of some of the Lao ethnic clothing and then a lot of Lao dancing. The girls were absolutely beautiful and I was utterly amazed by the beauty of our culture and what we have to offer.

4. Nice accommodations/food. We stayed at the hotel the conference was held at and that made it so convenient. The breakfast was great full of choices. Don’t forget, we have been in Laos for a month and usually eating similar things day in and day out. It was a nice change of scenery.

5. The conference brought Vinya to Laos! It was so nice to see him again. I think we all made him proud with the progress we have made so far. I still feel that this is the best place to be for me as I try to learn the language again since I know that what I lack (reading and writing) can only be readily found here. We got to spend some quality time with Vinya and even introduce him to some of the people that have made the first month as wonderful as it was.

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.

I’ve been known to be very long-winded and to go off on many tangents. Although it might be fun for some I feel like if I am like that in this blog, I will confuse you so instead, I will post about FIVE things in each post. Although every day can’t be roses and sunshine, I want to look back at this adventure and see the beauty of Laos and the people shine through. I really do believe that I am the master of my fate and I am determined to make the most of this program.

For this post – FIVE FAVORITES:

1. Favorite Restaurant – Last night the whole group got together and walked to a Lao restaurant nearby. It’s actually pretty rare that we are ALL together so it was a nice change of pace. Plus, it was such a nice night since it has finally started to rain here in VTE. We have been fortunate to have been taken to many fabulous places to eat and although I have only been here for 13 days, I am confident in putting this restaurant on my list of Top Five Favorite Restaurants. The food and atmosphere is excellent and it is quite inexpensive. The nam khao and papaya salad here are the best I have tasted in Laos so far! As usual, we laughed a lot and it was a good time.

2. Favorite Fun Moment – The reason I am here in VTE (and a participant of SAIL) is so I can learn about my culture. I know I have a lot to learn and like a sponge, I am trying to soak up as much as I can. I have been introduced to some incredibly beautiful people including Noi. She runs a place that teaches the Lao way of life – custom, dance, mannerisms, etc. The second time I went to visit her place; the kids did another performance for us and invited us to dance with them. It was a lot of fun and I loved how happy they all looked when dancing. I hope they never lose that hope in their eyes.

3. Favorite Breakfast Food – Most of you know that I’m not a morning person, but amazingly I’m usually up by 6:30 (even when I want to sleep in!) so I usually get ready for the day and head across the street and go to this tiny place that has the best rice noodle soup. Although I try to mix up my morning foods, this place will always be my favorite place. We went there the first morning and I haven’t stopped going yet.

4. Favorite Teacher – Achaan Hommala, of course! She’s my Lao teacher and I enjoy her very much. I know I can’t write or read that well and she has been really good about allowing both Ake and I to do both as much as possible during class. She’s awesome about taking questions and giving examples for better comprehension.

5. Favorite Activity – This week was the first week of the new term for LAC students so it was nice to finally make some more friends. We’ve had lunch a few times with some this week and then I really enjoy going to the LAC Center to meet up with them before class.

As cliche as it may sound, “Home is where the heart is” and I feel very at home here in Laos. It’s been three years since my return and although much has changed here in VTE not much has really changed at all. All the SAILers arrived five days ago and we all seem to be adjusting well to this new atmosphere that we are calling home for the next two months.

The accommodations are great. The guesthouse we are staying at was also used by last year’s SAILers. All the staff have welcomed us with open arms and I feel very fortunate to have met so many wonderful people already. Although it is not in the heart of VTE, it is near many great places to eat and best of all, it is only three minutes away from the Lao-American College we are currently attending. I can actually see the rooftop from my 3rd floor room.

Classes are going well. Akarath and I are in the same class. Our Achaan is great at answering all of our questions and translating all the difficult academic words we seem to want to know. I am picking up a lot already as we have jumped head first into reading and writing since both Akarath and I are very proficient speakers.

Yesterday, I went up to a girl, who was sitting on the steps, to ask her for help with reading my homework. She was excellent at taking all my questions and answering them to the best of her abilities. We also got to meet up with Akarath’s cousins who took us out to eat and to explore the shops near the Mekong. I am shocked and excited by everyone’s positive responses to our arrival. I look forward to meeting many more people as the Lao-American College will start their new term again on Monday.