Author: Marielle

Five day holiday you say? Let’s travel!

For a while C and I considered going to Vietnam for those five days, but with minor delays and obstacles, we opted for Luang Prabang in Laos. While I’m living in this country, why not see the most of it right? We hoped on a plane and within what felt like a minute, we were there.

Getting to our guesthouse/villa, we were hosted by the cutest young couple who were so welcoming and who’d always giggle. The woman showed us to our room and the conversation went like this:

Her: Where are you from?

C: Canada.

Her: Oh that’s why you’re so white.

Ha! We thought she said “quiet” at first, but then remembered how obsessed people are with our white skin here.

The first day was spent at Tad Sae waterfall. Friends told us to visit this particular one because it’s beautiful and there are less tourists (yes please). Our tuk tuk ride there began like any other but took a turn for stress lane when the driver was acting suspicious by stopping here and there, talking to people, etc. Won’t get into the details but hey, we got to the waterfall safely and my oh my was it worth it. Tad sae is absolutely breathtaking and wonderful and magical. We spent most of the day there swimming, climbing rocks and exploring the surroundings. I could’ve stayed there the whole 5 days!

Hooked on waterfalls, we set out for Kuang Si the next day. This world heritage waterfall brings in lots of tourists, and I can clearly see why. Once again, breathtaking. After a few minutes of taking photos, because yes we are tourists, we climbed the trail beside the waterfall. It pointed us in the direction of a cave and fresh spring water said to be 3km away. Of course it was more like 5km away but hey maybe km means something different in Laos?! It was so nice to be far away from everything for just an hour, so serene. Until…cows on the path…wait…does that cow have horns…is that a bull? Considering for a second turning around before pissing off this brute of an animal, we jumped in the forest to try and go around the trail. With no success, we took a better look and saw that no, it was not a bull, so on we went haha! The cave was pretty nice and the non-existent spring water too! You live and ya learn.

While some stay in Vientiane to see the boat racing during these five days, Luang Prabang was calling my name and I’m so glad I went. Seeing the city prepare for the festival of lights was something else. Every home was making their own decorations of boats or lamps. The small boats made of bamboo and banana trunks are decorated with colourful paper and money, illuminated and then thrown out on the Mekong river for good luck and to give thanks for the spirit of the waters. I wish I could’ve stayed another night to see it but I guess I’ll just have to go back! Shucks…

Once again, there is so much more I could share about my trip but I can’t go on forever!

I’ll be writing another post soon about the Night Market in Luang Prabang which hosts many handicraft artists that are able to keep their tradition alive and support their families by selling their goods. So many interesting things for sale, I’m surprised my suitcase was ONLY 4 kg overweight (oops!).

Check out some more photos below!

-Marielle

  ^festival of lights  

More info on the festival of lights and the boat racing festival!

http://www.luangprabang-laos.com/Festival-of-lights-209

So what is World Vision?

Sponsorship organization. Was that your first thought? It was mine for a long time, but over the past few years I’ve learned that it’s actually so much more than that. It works with communities around the world towards sustainable development, the most important kind.

There’s an awesome video that was created by World Vision to show the work done specifically in Asia and the Pacific. Take a look, what do you see?

Sitting in the back of a mini-bus; I got my friends, my shades and one ticket to Vang Vieng.

For those of us who had never been, we were warned of the party town that is Vang Vieng. Although it isn’t as crazy as it was 4 years ago, it had more than enough wacko to keep us laughing for ages. Drugs, alcohol and sun make for the craziest tourists that are sure to make you question humanity at least once.

We set out early on Saturday morning to Blue Lagoon and a cave to avoid swarms of tourists, and we were successful. The cave especially, was really beautiful. Tree branches over the water offer the chance to jump in, and that’s exactly what I did- along with so many Korean tourists. It’s a one by one sorta deal so there’s a full audience of people watching when you jump in. As soon as C and I got up there, cameras and phones were pointed at us…the attention we get as white people I tell ya… We were all shocked at how so many tourists who can’t swim were jumping in the water. Carolyn had to swim to rescue this Korean woman who had jumped and was basically drowning. No one on the side was doing anything either because they themselves don’t know how to swim. Good for them for trying but let’s not try by jumping off a tree with no way of reaching the shore ok?

After lunch we took another tuk tuk to the Kaeng Nyui waterfall. When we got out of the tuk tuk a little boy of about 2 years came running to us and was just the cutest thing of life, smiling and asking us to come play. I was so happy until I saw what he was pointing too…A group of kids sitting, hitting bamboo sticks to make music and asking you to come dance over the sticks with them. Plot twist: they want you to give money after. I recognized the behaviour and look on kids’ face immediately so didn’t take part in it. Breaks my heart.

The Kaeng Nuyi waterfall was absolutely beautiful. Is there anything better than swimming and climbing waterfalls? I was so excited and happy to be climbing and exploring around the smaller waterfall; I kept wishing Tori was with me. I had to hold on to branches, roots and rocks to maneuver through waterfalls, so fun.

We had a relaxing night by eating colossal amounts of food by the river and watching the tv show Friends in a restaurant. Vang Vieng has a bunch of laid-back restaurants with Friends playing which is like the most genius idea ever right? Love it.

The next morning we all rented bikes and set out for an Organic Farm we heard about. We got to explore a little bit of the farm, but hadn’t reserved anything ahead of time so we had to wing it!

There’s so much more I could share about this trip, but that’s all for now!

Shout out to my friend Phil who’s app game Mighty Fred kept me entertained during my bus ride! Still frustrated at my lack of skill but with time, I’ll get better. For those of you with an Android you should check it out! You can download it for free on Google Play or on your computer at http://www.custodiangames.ca!

Pictures below!

-Marielle

Finally my workout did not consist of doing squats and jumping jacks in my apartment!

My friend told me about these aerobics classes that happen every night by the Mekong River. It’s 4000Kip to participate, which is about 63 cents Canadian. So I reallyyyy had to budget for the class… 😉

I decided to run there to get an extra workout and because it’s been over a month since I’ve been running. I’ve been reluctant to go running here because it’s not something lots of people do, especially in my part of town. But it turned out great, and the weather is a bit cooler (22 degrees considered “cool”) which is an added bonus when you wanna go running. Some things I have to be careful of as I’m running here: holes in the sidewalk (I’m talking holes the length of my leg…which means long), cars parked all over the sidewalks and really just cars anywhere. Ok so I’m gonna stop there with the hazards before I get my parents worried.

The aerobics class was also really good! FYI this picture is unfortunately not from my aerobics night, but it is of the Mekong River. Thailand on the left and Laos on the right. Thailand is so close you can hear music coming from there if it’s loud enough. Back to the class. Good workout, lots of people and definitely awko taco sometimes seeing me trying to follow. I stand out like crazy because of my height so messing up a routine is automatic visibility. But I’m being too hard on myself, no one is actually looking at me or cares. I’ll be back for sure!

Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends and family! Grateful and blessed to have you all in my life. Thank you for making me smile and laugh even if we are so far apart. A simple hello makes my days 🙂 A special thought for Pascale, Emilie and Shawn who are spending thanksgiving without the beautiful Julie for the first time. I’m thinking about you so much and keeping you all in my prayers. Mihou.

For those of you needing an excuse to eat a second, third or fourth serving of thanksgiving dinner, just say you are eating my portion. You’re welcome.

Hasta pronto,

-Marielle

Sitting here in my apartment listening to a mix of pouring rain and Down the Line by José Gonzalez. I keep thinking about the fact that I’ve been here for four weeks already! I’m torn between feeling like I’ve been here forever and feeling like I got here just yesterday. You get into this routine that just becomes normal and you kind of forget what your life was like before. I’ve learned so much already from my time working in the national office and my brief visit to the field. There’s so much room for innovation and creativity in communications, and I’m excited to see how everyone in my department can combine their ideas together!

Our office sets up soccer games every other week and Friday night we had another game! So nice to see a girls team play and have all the guys be super supportive. And of course we cheer for them too.(Learned a few cheers in Lao…nbd) After the game we all met up at a restaurant and had such an amazing night; it was perfect. Getting to spend time with everyone in a setting other than work was fun and hilarious. Oh and I was on the verge of tears many times…not of happiness or anger….of pure inability to deal with the spiciness of some dishes. I was queen of eating ice cubes. At least I provided mild entertainment for some who thought my pain was funny. I love how the eating culture is based on sharing. You order dozens of dishes and pick what you want and voilà! I don’t want to tell you everything that is available to eat here (in case some of you end up visiting Laos), but let me just tell you that duck fetus’ were on the menu that night, and on the table. So yea…let that just sink in for a bit.

For those of you reading, I can’t guarantee that my posts will be about much else than food. I just love food, eat a lot, and so frequently you know… Gotta fuel up the ferrari. Also, I bought ketchup today so all is good in the world again. And….I FOUND A STORE THAT SELLS CHEETOS. YUP. After minor heart palpitations I came to my senses and resisted the urge to buy the bag. I’ll keep the purchase for when I’m really craving it.

I’ll work on my blog posts, promise. I’ll be posting more frequently, so come back!

A few photos below!

Adios amigos,

-Marielle

Laos! I’ve never seen anything like it.

Through the exhaustion, lack of sleep, jet lag, excitement and the start of a new position, I’ve managed to catch a glimpse of Vientiane. The streets are packed with cars (and pick-up trucks?!), motorbikes and tuk tuks; so trying to cross the street is a “pray before you attempt” kind of deal. The food is delicious and so cheap.

My first day at the national office in Laos was great. I got to meet lots of new people, who are all so friendly, and learn more about what my job will entail. I tried saying a few words in Lao and was semi successful..Why is it that every time I try to say a word, Spanish comes out?

I am going in the field tomorrow, which is really exciting! I will share more on my next post about what exactly I will have done on this field visit.

-Marielle