Skipping Christmas

Kyle decided he wanted to see what it would be like to skip Christmas this year.  It seemed like an ok plan.  At least it would be easier to avoid most things Christmas because this is a place that doesn't really celebrate the holiday.  Well, the Lao people are starting to catch on to the idea that money can be made at Christmastime.  But, it was still relatively mild.  I heard Christmas music in a coffee shop back in October and didn't hear any more tunes until today.  I purchased a string of lights before Kyle arrived thinking we would get a tree once he got here.  They are still on the bookshelf.  Overall, aside from calling home Christmas night, we managed to avoid the commercial-ness of the holiday.

Friday morning we decided to get out of town, do something fun.  I had to take a quick trip to Thailand that morning.  When I returned home, I threw my stuff in the bag and we left.  We were talked into taking a minivan to Vang Vieng because it is supposed to be an hour shorter(we were on the bus on the way home and didn't seem to take an hour longer).  Before we even got out of town, the driver decided to move us to the front row and stuff 4 Lao people into the row built for 3.  So, we got to ride shotgun.  It was so nice to see something new.  The road was very bumpy and dusty, but it was different.

We arrived in Vang Vieng shortly before sunset and managed to find a decent place to stay.  Actually, it was pretty good-except for the loud neighbors.  It was right on the Nam Song river.  We went out to find a place for dinner.  We walked through town before deciding on one of the first places we glanced at a menu.  After dinner, while strolling through the supermarket,  we discovered a bottle of mystery alcohol containing a cobra with a scorpion in it's mouth.  Kyle asked the woman if people actually drink the stuff. She replied, "Yes.  It's for stronger."  Of course it is.

Most people(backpackers) go to Vang Vieng to tube on the river and/or party.  It is clear that most of the town is accommodating.  So, I thought that even though it has been a little cool, we would go tubing or kayaking-because that is what people do.  Christmas Eve started out cool and overcast.  Kyle said it would burn off soon.  It didn't.  We ended up renting motorbikes and exploring.  We paid money to go into the Tiger Cave (no idea why that is the name).  It was ok but a little bit snug.  I guess neither one of us are really cave people.  Plus, there was a huge spider the guide pointed out to us and some crickets.  I don't really like either.  We got to drive around through a dried up rice field.  It was really bumpy.  That evening Kyle decided to try fly fishing in the river.  I went to see how it was going and discovered him surrounded by 4 local boys wearing little more than their underwear checking out his process.  They stood around discussing what he was doing, the fly rod, reel, float line, and his bait-or lack of it.  They were cute.  One of them even jumped in and helped him reel it in.  It would have been a great picture.

Sunday morning, we got up after another night of pretty loud neighbors.  It was actually sunny, but still pretty cool.  The clouds and fog did actually burn off.  But, we were done and ready to come home.  We took the bus and it was long, bumpy, windy, queasy ride home.  When we finally got home, it felt great.

Overall, it was great to get out of town for the weekend and see something new, and great to be home.  We are trying to watch all of Lost before he goes.  It is a big project, but we are committed.  I have watched bits of it here and there and had forgotten about how engrossing it is.  Stay tuned for news about New Years-I want to go look for elephants.  Lots of Love, M.

Happy Happy

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  I know it has been awhile since I have written, but better late than never.

Kyle is here visiting.  He is starting to get over the jet lag.  It has been nice having someone to hang out with.  He visited my class on Thursday evening and a couple of my students said that he looks like a movie star.  They couldn't say which one.  Definitely not Tom Cruise, but someone who could have been in a movie with Tom Cruise at some point.  We can just call him Hollywood.

Well, I will write again soon.  I hope that wherever you are during this Holiday season, you are enjoying it.

Interesting

I saw this online somewhere earlier this week or last week.  I thought it was interesting.  I was reminded of it tonight when I picked up this edition of Time from one of my favorite markets.  Makes you wonder why in the US, Time readers are being told anxiety can be good for you when there is so much more going on in our world.  I am going to discuss this with my class this week when talking about audience.  Should be a fun discussion.  Remember, it is good to have a variety of news sources.  Love, M.

UPDATE:  Ok.  I actually looked through the magazine after my post and to be fair, the anxiety story is in the issue I have.  I guess it is just the cover that is different.  But still, why?