Family & Friends VISIT INDIGO THREADS
March 28, 2008
Anxiously waiting, the email finally arrived “ALL 6 OF US ARE IN BANGKOK”. A loud sigh of relief escaped uncontrolled. After months of careful coordinated planning, they were here, almost. We could catch the 3:30 PM Pakse bus to Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand to meet their early morning flight. My sisters and friends were making their first visit to Laos, traveling from the US and Germany, in support of INDIGO THREADS, Laos Education and Village Development Humanitarian Organization programs.
Our handmade banner was held high to welcome Suzanne, Isis, Diane, Donna, ‘Sheely’ and Denise. Not realizing until later, I had spelled my own sister Shelly’s name incorrectly. As each of the ‘Indigo 6’ filed into the waiting area, excitement and joy overwhelmed each of us. It was unbelievable we could all be united here. Only a 3 hour bus ride to Pakse would complete their long journey and begin our Laotian adventure.
After settling into the welcoming Pakse Hotel, their home away from home for the next 10 days, we all gathered at our favorite Mekong River floating restaurant for an early dinner of scrumptious fresh seafood and Beer Lao. In no time at all, they had recounted their travels to Laos. Then, briefed on their up coming Southern Laos adventures not forgetting to forewarn of the many culture shocks they may encounter. Relaxing on the banks of the Mekong River would be repeated often after our long, hot adventurous day trips. I looked over my shoulder to see one of the most spectacular pink/orange sunsets glistening over the rippling waters while fishermen paddled their hollowed out wooden boats, retrieving their fishing nets in the light of the moon. “Welcome to Pakse, Laos, my family and friends.”
The primary focus of this visit was to introduce my family and friends to the incredible work INDIGO THREADS has accomplished in 3 short years to help make a difference in the lives of these desperately poor Laotians through education, addressing village survival needs and simply caring with our one on one approach to assistance. Unannounced visits to our 6 assisted schools brought teachers to the schools on the weekend to meet the family. Although only visiting 5 of our 9 assisted villages, Phout Sampan Village entertained us with their traditional ethnic percussion music dressed in tradition clothing. Nalath Village demonstrated their intricate Taoy ethnic weaving, an INDIGO THREADS supported income producing pilot program while others had crafted their exquisitely hand woven bamboo utilitarian baskets. Oudomphan Village was enjoying their annual Noodle Festival. There was no way we could turn down their generous invitation to join them in food, drink and
song. At other villages we had the opportunity to visit, remembering the 93 year old woman at Louyta Village who asked us to please bring her vitamins like we had previously done. We did. And 152 more families received multi vitamins that day.
During our adventures we visited many of the sights Southern Laos has to offer to include an elephant trek to the ancient ruins of Phu Asa, an idle, scenic boat trip down the magical Mekong River to Wat Phu, rare Irrawaddy dolphin watch on the Laos/Cambodian Mekong River border, etc. Without a doubt, our most memorable, heartwarming, unforgettable experiences were the gracious, friendly Laotian people who shared their everyday lives, homes and villages with us. Friends and associates of INDIGO THREADS welcomed my family and friends as part of their own. Children were mesmerized by Suzanne’s clever pencil sketches; by Isis’s photography skills viewed in her camera; by their older ‘aunts’ playing ball with them; by Donna serving students their school lunch; hand in hand students leading Shelly to visit their school It seemed possible these people that looked so different are ‘same, same’ as their other aunts. Each village’s
special welcome greeting made us realize we are more alike then different. Our concerns are similar. Peace on earth is not too difficult.
From East to West and South, each and every one of the eight weaving villages visited were more welcoming then the next. Women demonstrated their exquisite silk weaving skills on their familiar traditional wooden looms. The ethnic village women proudly operated their back strap looms, maneuvered by their feet and legs, creating their intricate traditional ethnic designs passed down through generations. These friendly villagers have little contact with foreign visitors but graciously shared their knowledge with our intensely interested group, many who have careers in the textile field. The greatest compliment was paid when asked if they had one of their hand woven textiles to purchase.
Before we knew it, we were all climbing aboard the wildly painted overnight VIP bus to Vientiane, the developed capital city. Sadly, this meant our Laotian visit would be coming to an end. After last minute shopping, reservations to Bangkok on the overnight sleeper train and recounting our amazing experiences over good food, it was time to say good-by to my courageous sisters and friends. Continuing their Laos travels for two additional weeks, Denise and her Brian visited Northern Laos, a totally different experience.
I couldn’t be more grateful to these talented, generous women who traveled so far, sharing my passion in support of INDIGO THREADS, Laos Education Support and Village Development Humanitarian Organization. One’s life is never quite the same after witnessing the naked reality of poverty and its far reaching consequences in developing nations. We look forward to the ‘Indigo 6’ utilizing their many talents to continue their support of INDIGO THREADS, helping us to make a difference by assisting with basic survival needs-nutritious food, safe drinking water, education, sanitation and a means to earn a living.
Submitted Blog by Mary D. Meyer
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