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Hi guys - lack of updates: have been travelling through rural southern villages where electricity, water and telephones are a luxury, let alone internet. For now, feast on this:

"Sawadee". "Sawadee". We responded to the huge friendly smile characteristic of this region. It turns out that he is Laotian, and an epitomy of everything that is rumoured about Laotian people. Warm, friendly, highly-loveable and so laid back he'd almost fall over. Traversing and experiencing such beautiful people, one is a far cry from the familiarity of fear and unrest of the West, that it is difficult to believe the world is in certain parts, in turmoil. Ironically, the Democratic Republic of Laos is considered to be one of those countries. And for sure, it has its share of political instability, under-development and economic struggles, but, a certain flame of happiness dances in the eyes of the locals with whom I have interacted - a flame whose light is often missed in the West.

In Laos. In Love.

Asha Patel
2006-08-23 10:48:48

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emails (wishing I hadn't), made a quick phonecall home to mom, watched the ending of Harry Potter whilst eating hot sweet porridge and banana. By now it was afternoon and hot. Marianna wanted to walk the 3kms back to the farm and so I joined. The options were; lounge about in self sympathy, or, direct attention away from self and go teach English. Within an hour I found myself back in the village. I was too drained to work with the young uns so I took the intermediate class again, this time with Eileen, and her two years of teaching English in Korea experience. As the sun set, I made an early departure and went to have dinner: tofu satay and purple sticky rice.

Day Five: Another lethargic start to the day as I tried to summon the energy to work. Fruit salad and organic coffee with copious amounts of sweet condensed milk. Back to the asparagus patch. The overcast skies did help though the humidity never lets up. I tried to concentrate on the task at hand, with difficulty. I ended up doing all the muddy work with great pleasure. I resolved to getting mucky
say cheeseand dug my hands into the soft brown earth, feeling its clay-like texture squidge between my fingers. Awesome. During lunchtime, went into the river to cool off. I decided to take a day off from teaching today, knowing that the students were in the capable hands of Eileen and Jenni. Instead, I walked into town with the other volunteers. Dined then watched Kill Bill whilst David and Noura drank happy shakes. The 3km walk back was dark, quiet and blissfull.

Day Six: Breakfasted on a baguette and mulberry jam with a kiwi journalist. Then back to work. Pruning mulberry trees. Had a mulberry shake for lunch, then back to work. Agreed to walk the Dutch girls to the village, only to show them the way. Three hours later I was still there. The heartfelt cries of my name as the children caught sight of me was too much. I couldn't leave.

Day Seven: After breakfast, I ...