I love watching family interactions

It's fascinating working here with the Laos doctors and as I'm hopeless at Laos I have heaps of time to observe the interactions between children and their parents and I love this. There is so much tenderness, don't know why this seems so special as I see all my friends being equally loving to their children, there are magical moments of such warm parental and child affection and intimacy which makes me tingly and smile with joy

Learning, Laos Style

Dr Cheri was teaching us about ultrasound, in Laos Learning is enhanced by hugging each other!

there's heaps of touch going on , it's a good thing

funny

today's problem list at work

saturday evening at Phout's bar

welcome to Air Lao, would you fly with this gorgeous lot?!
ooh, it was boooozey and fun, i'm applying for a new job as crew !

saturday morning yoga

beautiful views this morning from the yoga deck, and walking home the locals are working hard

the waiting room ....

.... is multi purpose
cinema, bedroom !

this week's photos at the hospital

new uniforms, very smart

healing children

having fun

teaching

Have been doing heaps of teaching this week, I've been learning, the Lao doctors are enjoying themselves, we're a happy bunch

pampering lao style

The weather is hot and sticky in Luang Prabang at the moment so weekends need to be taken at a slow pace. I've been having relative expensive £8 facials at a poshish place in town but Adam has found a bargain place at Phousy Market. Fabulous scrubbing sessions; a facial is the equivalent of £1 and so it a pedicure, I'm feeling shiney and new!

frisbee

It's coming to the end of the hot, dry season, so the rivers are low and beaches have appeared!
Time for beach frisbeee, fun, sweaty, great for the butt i'm told and a cold beer at the end of the game

great to be back at the temples

One thing I was especially looking forward when I got home was seeing the novice monks at Wat PasaViet and Wat NaLuang. Great to catch up and start teaching again, I was excited and feeling cheeky so when the afternoon drum session started I asked could I have a turn, looks easy but it isn't and I loved it, have always wanted to have a go, it's such a distinctive sound of Luang Prabang and I love the energy that it creates

the work social

BBQ, BeerLao and Pertonk
Life is good

Happy Birthday Adam

What a handsome young man!
Bangers and Mash for birthday dinner, followed by tarts from the French bakery
Delicious, thanks Sarah for a great party

bromances

I've taught the Laos guys at work a new word, bromance.
There are heaps of bromances going on.
I thought I was having one with Somlith, but he's ditched me for Hiro, a Japanese volunteer who is teaching Somlith IT stuff.
The Lao team love new words and the word of the week is definitely bromance!

missing London and equally lovely to be home in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is looking beautiful at the moment

Thank you beautiful Corrie

I love being around your warmth, kindness and thoughtfulness. Thank you for your generosity and making me part of your beautiful family. Loved the walks to school, helping with homework, chatting and experiencing your gentleness and fun x

London

I thought I'd be blubbing my way round London getting nostalgic, instead I simply had a great time and smiled heaps. It was lovely seeing everyone, eating western food, drinking wine and walking in the beautiful spring weather and blossom.
I was super aware of the contrasts between London and Luang Prabang, the pace of life, architecture, flora, fauna, consumerism, choice, waste, people's approach to life's ups and downs. It's amazing how 2 completely different ways of life are a short flight away, I love them both and am lucky to be able to flit between them.