For the past few days we got to spend our time in a small village here in Laos. It was a great experience. The whole time we lived just as the locals did. We stayed in a house with a local woman. We were told to call her grandma. She was so sweet and she was basically like our grandma. We all loved her so much. We stayed on the 2nd floor of her house. Just sleeping on matts and had mosquito nets around us. The house was very basic but it was very nice to be in.
<This is the house we stayed in.
The first day we got there our translator took us to a waterfall. It was a fun little hike through the woods to get to it. It was very small because right now is the dry season. Then we ate traditional Laos food for every meal. The food was amazing. We had lots of sticky rice, bamboo soup (my favorite soup now), and different vegetables. The village leader’s wife made the food for us. She is a fantastic cook. After we had lunch Grandma asked us to go with her to get fish. She took us to a fish pond. It was so fun there. The guys were asked if they wanted to fish. So of course they said yes. We walked over to the pond and our translator said “take off your pants” we all looked at each other and kind of just laughed. So they did it and it was to keep them dry. They walked into the water and had a net they had to learn how to throw. They didn’t catch anything but our translator got a few fish. It was very entertaining to watch.
<The guys learning how to fish.
So the next day we went on an hour walk to the next village. We learned a lot about the people there and they even let us go in their houses to see how they lived. Our translator was amazing at letting us get to know the locals. It was great to see how they all lived. That day we also learned how to make baskets. We went to cut the bamboo down, then had to make it into small pieces and then the village leader showed us how to weave a basket. It was very complicated. I don’t think I will ever be able to make one without his help. That night we played Frisbee with some of the children. It was a blast. They learned quickly how to play. We just tossed it in a circle. Then they started playing keep away. It was so much fun to get to play with them. I think they also had a lot of fun.
<The basket we wove.
Even though our stay was short it was very powerful. We went to make connections with the people there. I think we made some friends for sure. It was great to see how the locals lived, and live just as they do. Their way of life is so simple but so great. I am so glad we got to go there for the short time we did. Not having wifi was a great bonus also. This was my favorite part of this month.
