Sorry I'm not bringing Maggie! Britt- A tough life for a dog. I know here we are suckers for our dogs but they give us so much in return.That said thankyou once more for a great blog with great photos. Freddy.
I enjoyed your Laos post. I have always wanted to go there. My blog is looking for travel photos. If you have the time, email us some at dirtyhippiesblog@gmail.com or check us out at dirty-hippies.blogspot.com.
Continued fun on your travels,
Eric
T-Shirt I would definitely wear the t-shirt that says “Mail kiss to me” here in the US. It makes me mad to hear about your friend Gin. I can’t believe a teacher would take advantage of student’s trust that way.
Papaya salad I had a stuffed Pikachu on my key chain when I was younger. When my keys were in my pocket it would hang out. It makes me laugh when I think back about it. In MN the only thing you could request when ordering papaya salad is how spicy you would like it. Almost every restaurant or store makes the papaya salad different in taste. I think they make it according to how they like it, not really putting in to consideration how the customer would like it.
comments from a nurse on Laos health care system Britt, I enjoyed reading your detailed description of the hospital in Luang Prabang and at the same time was horrified at the conditions! As a nurse for over 30 years, I can recall early on working in large open wards at Mass General Hospital, Boston where the poor were treated quite differently from the wealthy who were cared for in fancy hospital/hotel rooms with working fireplaces and personal maids/nurses in the next building over. We have come a long way in dealing with our own disparities in care in the U.S. and we have a long ways to go yet. But what you describe is seemingly what one would expect over 2 centuries ago! Your role as a witness to this sad state of affairs is important - keep it up and stay healthy!!
OYE VEY Could this be the USA soon? With 31 million people now newly insured by the tax payer someone forgot to add the medical staff to accomodate them. In an E.R people are triaged as to the level of their medical need, which is fair and equitable.Until someone we love or perhaps ourselves is moved 31 million people back on line. Every good deed has its price,I've seen in life that when many people are confronted themselves with that price they sing a different toon.But yet its OK for you and me.
haha Thanks John, I really appreciate it. I try to share interesting cultural occurrences and differences, insights or background I've learned, while always being as positive as possible. August will be a great time to visit. Best, Britt
Well written Just checking out the blogs from Laos and I have to say yours is the best written and most informative I've read ... by a mile... Not..... Got up and tubed down a river completely blind drunk, had babana pancakes for brekky lunch and Tea got ripped off etc bla bla bla...
Going to Laos in the summer (August) with wife and 2 daughters (15 and 10). Really looking forward to it. I shall follow your blogs with interest !
J
Hi Guys!
January is a great time to come to LP, it's not too hot and the burning hasn't started yet.
Now, the air quality is awful and I and I think many others, have felt awful as result for weeks. Ugh, a side effect of living in paradise. Hope you guys are well and getting excited for China. You go soon right? Lots of love, Britt
Rude Tourists. I think where there is tradition and or observance there will be obnoxious people acting obnoxiously. I'm not sure what can be done other than try to educate them as to the correct behavior. Some years back I visited an Indian reservation with my Dad in New Mexico, we along with about a hundred people were invited to watch a rain dance,but the crowd was asked a head of time not "clap" when it was over. That would have been a more innocent reaction than sticking cameras in peoples faces but rude none the less. Yes no one clapped. OK folks are teachable and want to do the right thing, others perhaps need more education or a stiff kick in the ass. Great Blog!!!!!!!!! Freddy.
following your journey Hi Brit,
From time to time I read of your lovely travels and feel like I'm there as you so clearly describe events. I mentioned your blog to Kate Turner who's a Chinese and Asian studies professor at Holy Cross College and sent her the link. Hope you're fine with that. I'm a fan of what you're doing. Keep living large and best wishes to you.
Neal
facebook.com you are absolutely right.lao people do get up hella early in the morning when others tend to go to sleep.heck no,it never happen if you're drinking lao lao. lol...even you're got the biggest hung over from the booze they still drinking again.we lao are crazy when it comes to drinking but we drink in a nice respectful matter for fun and for our guest to enjoy our hospitality.
Novice Monk in Luang Prabang Recently I had the good fortune to sponsor a novice monk named Onsi for two years of his English education (he is 16 years old) for only 7000 bhat. This will make an enormous difference in his life--he comes from a very poor family in a very poor Lao village--and he writes me emails in excellent English. I am happy to help him by sending books, the Oxford dictionary with CD, and CD player so he can learn pronounciation (he'll speak with a British accent!). I would encourage anyone travelling in Lao to make a similar effort, if only to donate books to children or schools. I had the honor to guest teach at a school for two nights (where I met Novice Onsi), and the students had no books--not one! Also, the teacher had only one instruction book, so when in Vientiane I bought several instruction manuals she wanted, plus CDs, and sent them to her in Luang Prabang. So it is easy and inexpensive to make a big difference in these people's lives!
Peter Heron
Keep Me Updated Hi Britt, Your dad was just in my office having coffee and showed me how to get onto your site; I haven't had a chance to really look at all of it just some of the pictures and I can't wait to check it out. I still have my heart hanging on my computer monitor had a few people wanting to take it from me, I told them no way I'd chace them down the hall before they could have that a very special young lady gave that to me and it's something very special to me so no one can take it. Thank you again and I will be looking over your site from my home pc right now I'm at work. Good luck at what you're doing. Your friend from WSC, Joyce
Jungle Cats Laos holds the honor of having the most varieties of civet (jungle cat) in the world. I have eaten civet, though I have no idea what kind it was. I intended not to, having seen the beast arrive in its entirety, bloody from the hunt. My friends, however, thought it'd be funny to trick me in to it. My memories of the experience are not positive.
awesome! Hey Britt I've been reading every day during lunch, it looks like you are seeing a ton of stuff and having a great time! I never knew there were pumpkins growing in Asia ! Miss you, love Amy
"I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list." - Susan Sontag
"Life is short and the world is wide" so we better make the best of it. I support doing what makes your heart happy while helping to make other people's hearts happier. For me, that means exploring the world and taking chances, investing myself in the places and activities that fascinate and thrill me.
While travelling I learn, share and help as I go. I supported my adventures through all sorts of work: cooking, bartending, teaching English, writing, per... full info
Fred Appel
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Sorry I'm not bringing Maggie!
Britt- A tough life for a dog. I know here we are suckers for our dogs but they give us so much in return.That said thankyou once more for a great blog with great photos. Freddy.