I've lost track of how long I've lived here. It feels like a really long time... which is great. It means I'm used to it. I thought transitioning would be really hard. But here, I have all the comforts of home. Air conditioning. Good food. A great house. Security. Well, maybe that's it. But those are the most important things, after all. And it's easy to feel connected to home because of the internet.
The most difficult thing is getting around. I rented a car for the month, but I've driven it about 3 times. I HATE driving here. I'm just not used to it. So each morning, I walk the mile to the main road and pray that a tuk tuk comes in time so I won't be late for school. It's worked out quite well so far. Even the walk is not so bad. It's fun to see the little shops along the way. And everyone is so friendly. Even the feral dogs.
I teach 3 sections of 12-14 year olds. They're a handful. The first week I really thought I wouldn't be able to handle it. But I'm getting more acclimated. It's just a different culture over here, school-wise. It's noisier. For example, in America, when you are asked to read aloud from a text, the rest of the class is quiet as the student reads. Here, they read to me solely while the rest of the class chatters. They are becoming more respectful as the days go by, though. It's difficult and I really hope I can teach them something. Right now, it feels more like review. But at least we're getting
some work done. Other teachers have been helpful in offering tactics to gain more respect and therefore educate in some capacity. We shall see.
I went to Vang Vieng the weekend before last and it was the most beautiful place I'd ever seen, truly. Mist covered mountains, coursing river, luscious jungle. It's also a notorious party city. For every Lao resident there are 25 tourists. That's the wild fun of it, though. There's even an Irish bar that reminds me so much of Boston. I'm going back next weekend. $25 for a one night stay. There's supposed to be great tubing, so I'm packing a swimsuit. It's a 4-5 hour bus ride, which costs about $5 (though I might just rent a minivan to drive me because although it costs slightly more, it is more reliable and you can meet fellow travelers that way ... and not risk sitting on the floor of a bus). You can do so much in this country on a very, very low budget. A large pizza and a beer runs you about $7USD. A foot massage costs about $5. A full body massage about $7. My tuk tuk to school costs about $4.
It's a great place to live. Some days I feel quite homesick, but then I tuk tuk downtown and quickly am over it. The gorgeous gaping Mekong, the overwhelmingly beautiful temples sprinkled throughout the city. The cafes, so reminiscent of Paris, where you can sit and observe passersby. Even the neighbors singing karaoke terribly and loudly until 10pm. My street itself reminds me of the Lake. It's dirt and gravel and dimpled with terrible potholes. If Aunt Kalyani visits, I wouldn't recommend a jog.
It's one of the most charming cities I've ever been in and I feel very lucky to live here.
My dad and family are hopefully visiting September 16, before they move to Hong Kong in October, if all goes to plan. I miss sweet little Sarah especially, who is SO funny and mobile and smart.
Here are some pics:
I have to applaud this student's hustle.
Beautiful monks
One of my classes
What my schedule looks like... generally. It changes a lot.
Pepperoni pizza! Yum.
Night market by the Mekong
Mekong River crowds
Duck grilled on the street
Typical menu. About 8,700 kip = $1.
Store
A pug by Suonmote market, close to my house
Beautiful Patuxai. It's about a kilometer from my school and absolutely gorgeous. Think Arc de Triomphe but... better.
Nighttime tuk tuk.
Vang Vieng
Breathtaking Vang Vieng
A CD shop
On a boat
I had a date! He took me on a boat down a river in Vientiane.
He arranged this whole meal for us. It was delicious. He was very nice (and Indian).
Reading Mom's Kindle at a cafe.
Shrimp pad thai.
My street.
Front of the house.
Backyard.
