Last Days in Laos

Tomorrow we head to the airport, board a waiting plane and leave this country that we have called home for the last three years. The reality of this has certainly not yet set in even as we pack and re-pack bags, have farewell meals, finish and handover work and make last minute purchases. We are certainly looking forward to jumping into a new chapter in our lives, but as always change brings letting go, goodbyes and some tears.

Farewell Photo with Kai, Moriah's Sitter

Co-workers in Tha Thom

A Gift of Sticky Rice for the Long Trip

Lao Picnic

Smiles All Around

Delighting in Her First Ice Cream Taste

Farewell Bacci in Vientiane

MCC Babies

Trying out a New Nudle Shop!

This is what Moriah says about the noodles.

Bye-Bye Patuxai

A Family Jump at That Luang

Fun

We left our home in Tha Thom two weeks ago and have been living out of bags at our country rep's home, who has graciously opened her small place to the four of us! While here in Vientiane we have enjoyed many shopping trips (much to Jyoti's delight), many good meals and lots of time savoring the 'lasts.'

This is our last blog entry from Laos. We hope you have enjoyed reading and learning about Laos as much as we have enjoyed experiencing it.

Rice Worms

Laos is known for its strange and bizarre cuisine and so when we mentioned to Jyoti that we would  give her a taste of rice worms for lunch, she wasn't taken aback. Our mention of 'rice worms' implied the sweet Lao snack, "nam wan" or sweet water. The 'rice worms' weren't worms at all, but rather made from brightly colored rice flour, squeezed into a small 'worm' shape. These 'rice worms' swim with tapioca, pumpkin, corn, beans or cantaloupe in a sugary, coconut milk and ice soup. Nam wan is a classic Lao treat on a hot day and has earned from us the nickname "rice worm soup."

"Rice Worm Soup"

Jeffrey purchased two small bags of 'rice worms' to share, which we ate for dessert after lunch. Unbeknownst to us, Jyoti was completely convinced that she was eating real worms. She slowly ate her portion and even took a photo of her soup with her iPhone (to share later on Facebook). She asked, "Are they green before they are cooked?" Kaarina answered that sometimes they are pink too. Jyoti kept saying, "Well its not too bad...just mind over matter! I'll just eat a little more and then you can finish it."

The Never-to-be Facebook Upload

It wasn't until she asked, "Do you chew them or just swallow?" that we began to really think that something was amiss. Jeffrey responded by asking, "Well do you chew gummy bears or gummy worms?" Jyoti answered, "Yeah, but those aren't real worms!"

All at the same time we realized that Jyoti was completely convinced that she had been eating real rice worms! While she didn't eat real worms this time, Jyoti has mastered the psychological part of eating worms.

A Tha Thom Farewell

We were reminded yesterday that our time left in Tha Thom is short! In one week we will load up the project truck and head into the Capital. We find ourselves thinking often , "This may be our last time... going to the market, walking by the river...etc." It is a surreal feeling.

Blessing by Tying Strings

Traditionally, the Lao hold a Bacci ceremony when people arrive and when people leave. (It is also held for other events. Read more about Baccis in our Bacci post.) Yesterday the office held a farewell Bacci for us. Many important people from the District attended, including the first and second district mayors. The event was held at our home and after the ceremony we joined together in a meal of fish soup, fish laap and steamed vegetables.

Certificate from the District Mayor

The Feasting Pavilion

We are blessed to have Jeffrey's sister, Jyoti visiting us during this time. We will all be traveling back to the US together in a few weeks.

 

A Family Photo

A Proud Aunt and an Over Tired (Goofy) Moriah

Arbor Day

June 1st was Arbor Day in Laos. The district celebrated by planting a couple hundred trees on a plot of land set aside for the agriculture department. The festivities involved speeches, snacks and a time when everyone attending could plant a tree. Holes were pre-dug in the field with a tree next to each hole.

The MCC office donated 40 fruit trees and the district also requested 70 Moringa seedlings from us. June is the perfect time of the year to plant trees as the nightly rains make watering unnecessary. We still have just over 100 trees to get rid of before we leave. (The seed must have multiplied or something!)

Front Yard Food

The days for coming home at noon from work, trying to think of a quick meal to whip up are now a thing of the past! It used to be a challenge to create lunch ideas, especially when we come to the end of the week when leftovers become scarce and Moriah is also tired and hungry after a morning with her sitter. Now a restaurant has opened up in our front yard!

Our Personal Restruant

Our landlord rents the lower portion of their home to a couple who make various Lao pork dishes fresh each day. They tend to be spicy and slightly soupy and great eaten with sticky rice or regular white rice.While the food isn't Moriah's favorite, it makes for delicious quick lunch. The shop also sells a Lao treat called 'nam wan' (sweat water), a sweet soup with coconut milk and rice based gummies. The fresh banana fritters they offer are also our favorites!

School Gardens in Tha Thom: Focus on Moringa

Here is a video Jeffrey created, highlighting the 2012-2013 school garden activities for the MCC Tha Thom Food Security and Nutrition Project.

You know it is hot when:

The weather service says it's "38°C, but feels like 49°C given the humidity." (That is 120°F!!)

 

Candle sticks start to bend.

Chickens pant.

When the power goes out at night and the cooling fan ceases, you instantly awake, damp with sweat.

Five showers a day seems normal.

Two to three changes of clothes a day is normal.

Everything wilts.

The slightest breeze is a blessing.

You look with favor on the typically dreaded monsoon season.

A glass of cold water sounds heavenly.