What's in a Name?

Laos, Lao, Lao PDR, officially, the Lao People's Democratic Republic.  Whatever you decide, I have arrived.  Tomorrow will be one month since my arrival in this beautiful, land-locked country.  A little bit of general information for you.  Nearly 6 million people live in the country which is just a bit larger than the state of Minnesota.  The average annual income is approximately 500 USD.  The Mekong River, one of the longest in the world, flows for almost 1,000 miles through this country.  It is a massive river.  I like to go look at it when I get a chance.  It seems to be moving fairly slowly, but it is enormous.  There are 5 countries surrounding Laos.  They are, China, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.  It is hot, humid and dusty.  I have also heard on multiple occasions that it is only going to get hotter-hooray.  After this country, I am done with hot weather.  I think I might move to the North Pole.  We'll see.  One more fun fact, this is the most bombed country in the history of the world.  I am sure there will be more on this one later.

I stayed in a guesthouse for just over a week upon my arrival.  I found a house and had to wait to move because of a holiday.  I was so tired of living out of a suitcase and I was starting to go a little crazy.  I wanted to cook my own food, and do my own laundry.  I put my first load in the washer only to find it didn't work and I ended up ruining a bunch of clothes because of a new towel I had thrown in.  Oh well, that is how those things go.  My house here is like a palace compared to my tiny CHU in Iraq.  I have a living room, dining room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms.  My camera got broken in Colombia, so you will have to wait for pictures.  I live about 25 minutes away from the university and have purchased a motorbike for transportation.  Traffic is sometimes a little bit of a challenge, but I am starting to get used to it. 

I know this is a short update and I have more to write, but I wanted to give you a little bit of information.  I promise I will write again soon.  Love, M.