Romeo and Juliet- Lao Style

On Saturday I had the pleasure of enjoying a play put on by the literature class of the Lao-American college. Here are a some pictures and videos. The crowd responses are my favorite. And also, in true Shakespearean style, the role of Juliet was played by a dude.

Sabaidee Pi Mai! 2

I had so much fun on Monday, the second day of Pi Mai, at a street party with some Lao friends. It's much more fun flinging water at passing trucks and motorbikes than being the one having water flung AT you.

The boys were arming themselves with little plastic bags filled with yellow-colored water (yes that is water, no they're not water balloons). These things have sharp corners and leave welts and bruises.

This dude had amazing aim. He would hit his target in the face with a water bag almost every single time. And he was encouraged to do so!

This guy, however...I call this one "Almost Got 'Im".

I call this one "Got 'Im".

 

So much fun. I'll definitely be celebrating this way again next year!

A Day at the River

Spent some time with friends at a river about 2 hours outside of the city. It was so good to get out in nature!

AMAZING root system. 

Old grandpa tree.

That Luang Festival 2

The main part of the That Luang festival took place early in the morning on November 28th. Monks from all around Laos come to receive alms from people who come from many different provinces. The alms are given in order to store up merit for rebirth into a better life.

Mekong Lights

One of my favorite celebrations in Laos is the night before the Boat Racing Festival. While the main downtown streets are insane with thousands of people and super loud music, the banks of the Mekong are a bit more peaceful. People light lanterns to send to the sky and candles on banana-leaf boats that they send down the river. It's such a beautiful time!

Dad and Mom in Laos 2

We visited Patouxai! Hong hid behind a bush and took pictures of us as we climbed to each of the three level.

Here are my mom and I at the first main ledge. Can you see us? I think that's my dad's hand in the space to the left of me.

Here are my dad and I and a monk at the second main ledge. 

While Hong was taking that picture, mom was taking this picture! Good teamwork, guys. 

 And here are all three of us at the very top window. Do you spy?

Dad and Mom in Laos

It was fun to have my parents visit my home! Here are some of the things we did:

Rode around on motorbikes,

 rode in tuk-tuks

bought some pretty material, 

and wore it. And also rode in another tuk-tuk. 

More to come!

Aaaaand we're back

It's so good to be back in Laos! Among other things, I've...

watched my mom eat chicken hearts (brave!),

killed this spider (she was carrying a large egg sack), 

and cuddled this puppy (he had hiccups).

It's so fun to have my parents here!

Small Reminders of Home- Sunflowers

My students are always munching on sunflower seeds, so I guess I should have assumed there were sunflowers SOMEWHERE in Southeast Asia. However, I was still surprised to see this friendly little row greeting me as I drove home from work yesterday.

 
They mostly remind me of my sister, and also of summers at my grandparents house climbing hay bales, wooing frightened kittens and scratching unfortunately placed chigger bites.
 

 

River Butterflies

The weather yesterday was perfect for swimming! So Hong and I and some of Hong's work friends went to a river about 40 minutes outside of Vientiane. It was excellent!

I noticed a flurry of activity in the sand and realized that it was a group (a clan? a pride?) of butterflies!

Perhaps I shouldn't have disturbed them, but having tons of butterflies swirling around you is slightly magical!

I just googled it and found three results: 'a swarm of butterflies', 'a rabble of butterflies', 'a flutter of butterflies'. I can't decide if I like flutter or rabble better! (Results were found here and here.)

Mekong Beach Football

On Sunday night I hung out with Hong's family at the Mekong River. While we were there, a wild game of football took place. Here are some of my favorite pictures!