It seems appropriate to break my blogging silence with some big news... My parents arrived in Laos on Friday! Their long-awaited visit has come at last. So far, Dad hasn't started WWIII like mom has always feared if he went to Asia, and mom has endured helmet hair for 3 days. I keep trying to tell her what I've finally realized...you just look uglier in Laos...Or put in a nicer way...it's just plain hard to be beautiful in Laos. Whatever make-up you put on, just melts off your face (at least Mar-Nov) and you could be having the best hair day ever and bam the humidity hits you almost as soon as you walk out the door, not to be outdone, of course, by the helmet and its shaping effects :)
Ok, that was random. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment!
At the Vientiane airport...I arrived just seconds after Mom and Dad got through customs...They didn't see us, but I could see them. Mom was walking quickly with her arms flailing in exclamation as she walked over to the counter. I could read her mind as I saw her from afar...where is Julia? Now how are we supposed to contact her in this strange city if she's not here?! I ran up behind her and scared her, just as she reached the desk... dad saw me, but didn't spoil the surprise.
Sonexay wanted to come with me to welcome my parents, so we rode to the airport together. Here she is with Dad (and allllll their luggage... 6 bags total!!!)
Mom and her chauffeur, Christa...riding on a motorbike for the first time. She looks pretty good in a helmet, doesn't she?
Friday night we ate dinner down by the Mekong and watched the sunset. Mom and I weren't trying to be twinsies...it just sorta happened.
Saturday we went to a place called Buddha Park...Usually you just walk around and look at random statues, but on Saturday there was a big school festival, so there were hundreds of kids. Dad was talking to these kids and asked if he could get a picture with them.
The ladies hanging out (Dad was the official photographer)... Me, Sone, Christa and Mom
Saturday afternoon Sonexay's parents were in town so we met them for lunch. Sonexay was the main translator (her parents don't speak any English), but I was able to translate a little bit too! :) Next weekend, we're traveling to Sone's hometown, Thalat, for an authentic Lao cultural experience...i.e., a day of hanging out at her house and touring her hometown.
Dad and I on the motorbike. I'm his official driver this week.
Mom and Dad brought some fun games - Scrabble, Clue and Guess Who. Sonexay, Christa and I attempted to play Guess Who in Lao, and remarkably, we were able to do it pretty well. It was a great way to learn new words and practice speaking in Lao. Sone is such a patient teacher!! These girls are my two closest friends here in Laos and I feel so blessed by their friendship! They helped me host my parents all weekend and it was tons of fun.
Today I spent the afternoon with Mom and Dad... We ate at a French Restaurant downtown and walked around checking out the city. It's been intensely hot here this week (even the Floridians are dying!), so that's taken some getting used to for Mom and Dad.
Stay tuned for more adventures with the 'Rents!
