Laughing Kids and Metal Balls

Up and out early for our drive to Luang Prabang.  

Although the road is serpentine, the views make up for any feelings of motion sickness.  The large limestone outcroppings look like they belong on another planet and driving among the clouds is beautiful.

We pulled into LP around 1 and found a pho restaurant for lunch.  We ate quickly and went to check into our guesthouse to change into presentable clothing before going to the orphanage school.  We were visiting to witness the distribution of new school uniforms and toiletries, a quarterly event sponsored by a World Ed donor.  After touring the school, the 540 students were called one at a time to receive their package of new supplies.  I was given the task of handing them to the thankful students, who smiled and either muttered khop chai or thank you to me while bowing.  When I switched with Bounsong, I headed outside to try and talk with some of the kids.  Although they all learn english, they were very shy and only a couple wanted to say hello.  They were all intrigued when I introduced myself as Phetmany though.

Nothing more refreshing than fresh coconut (when Diet Coke isn't an option)

The school director brought us all fresh coconuts as the distribution room was getting very hot and congested.  We ended up leaving around 4:30 in order to change and return for the dinner celebration they had planned for us.

Bounsong took me on a quick driving tour of Luang Prabang, which is the #1 tourist destination in Laos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the old capital.  Nestled on the banks of the Mekong and Kham rivers, the scenery is spectacular and the entire waterfront is lined with gorgeous guesthouses and restaurants.  

We drove back to the school for dinner and were invited to play a ball game with them.  The point of the game is to throw your heavy metal ball closest to the small ball and knock out your opponents ball in the process.  Its really hard and there are certain ways you have to hold your hand, release the ball and position your body.  Basically I was a total failure but it provided a couple good laughs.  

I think I had the positioning right?

Dinner consisted of the normal staples of sticky rice, boiled chicken, fish soup and morning glory.  And of course, BeerLao.  I nibbled away, but am still dead set on abstaining from sticky rice for a couple days.  Before the drinking got too competitive, we excused ourselves and I was dropped off at the night market to wander around.  Luang Prabang was the original night market but now Vientiane has one daily and its very similar.  The only difference is the number of tourists.  They seem to swarm to the fresh fruit shakes, punjabi pants and pad thai buffets.

I explored the market for a bit before heading back to the guest house to settle in and hopefully get to bed early.  Tor and I are roommates tonight, so I'm trying to follow the plot of this crazy Thai movie we're watching.  Thaillywood certainly has a twisted sense of morbid humor!