a film staring Novices Vahn and Somchit

Another fun Sunday at Wat PasaViet

One of the English Schools in Luang Prabang was making a promotional video, Molly is in cahrge and she chose Vahn and Somchit to be interviewed, they were very excited to share their learning experiences. We had meet a few times in the previous week to practice, their answers were thoughtful, funny and warm. Vanh asked if I could go to the temple early for a final run-through. He was very relaxed and life was going on as normal at Wat PasaViet; haircuts, repairing my puncture. Then time for filming, eek, Vahn froze, he was very serious! It was funny trying to get him to relax and after a few takes it was all over and he was super excited again and chanted very loudly that evening!

Can't wait to see the finished film.

We've moved into the hospital

Lao Friends Hospital for Children opens on Wednesday 11th February 2015
and 10 days before we open the construction is finally finished
we've moved into the hospital!
there's heaps of cleaning to be done and a hospital to get ready!

Novice Pali arranged a Baci Ceremony for me

Novice Pali invited me to his home, his family wanted to meet me and to have a Baci to thank me for sponsoring his English classes and supporting his education. It was an early start, the other Novices were starting their Alms Ceremony when Pali, Somsai and I left the temple for the bus station. the market was in full swing when we arrived at 6.30, bought tickets and waited for our open air bus/truck to fill up. Buddhist monks are not allowed to touch women so Pali asked if we could sit in the front with the driver. Pali, Somsai and I tried to fiit on a seat made for  2 Lao size people! it was a stunning journey through the mountains and Pali was pointing places from his childhood, we were all very excited.

Pali's family home

Novice Pali's family were very warm and welcoming, they are kind, gentle and generous, just like Pali. The villagers were curious and came to say hello, I felt like a celebrity or maybe a Martian!! And Pali's family had prepared heaps of delicious food, yummy, it was such a privilege to meet his family and be invited into their family home

Pali showed me around his village

Life was very relaxed in the village, I loved the peace and the warm welcome, the children wanted to touch me, they pointed to my hairy arms and giggled! the community seemed very close and that day very happy

we walked to the family rice field and Pali's old school

Pali's family own a rice field, it's essential for them to have a good harvest each year in order to feed the family. this year was a good year and the rice store at home was full. Pali was very proud to show Somsai his former school he bounded along the paths who took as a child, I could hardly keep up

and finally, the baci ceremony

Novice Pali and his family had arranged a Baci Ceremony to thank me for supporting him, what an honour. I've been to a few Baci's ceremonies now but none for me so I was a bit anxious, Pali laughed and said just follow his cues. The Baci Ceremony started with drinking rice whiskey to pay respect to spirits, food was offered and brackets were tied to wish me luck. his Dad spoke in Lao and thanked me for helping his son. I was chocked, had a tear in my eye as I thanked them for their generosity and said it was a huge privilege to know Pali, the joy he gave me with his kindness and watching his English improve so much in the two years I've known him I thought I think this is making a difference to his life, I hope he continue to succeed in his education, he'd like to become a doctor and I'm determined to do everything I can to help him to achieve this dream. pali and Somsai are lovely kids, the day was one of my happiest.