Glimpses of Uniquely Southern Laos
April 5, 2010
Viewed though Indigo Threads eyes. . .and the people we would like you to meet.
Many distinctive Laotian sights and sounds are rapidly disappearing with moderation and development. Remember when . . . and then you realize it is not there anymore. These are current snips of life in Southern Laos we would like to share with you.
Photo: Beautiful 85-year old Great-Grandmother continues to help plant rice while attempting to rein in her large related brood.
Photo: One day old healthy baby girl, Great Grandmother's newest addition. Names are often not chosen at birth. Young Laotian parents are frequently choosing Western names.
Photo: Cultural after birthing tradition permits female relatives only to attend to the new mother and her baby while she is confined to sitting next to the hot fire drinking herb tea in an enclosed designated area recovering from childbirth. In this case, under the stilted house. The father's duty is to keep the fire burning 24-hours a day. The duration of this ritual is from 7 to 30 days 24-hours a day. Her diet is restricted as many foods are deemed unsafe for a new mother. The above one day old baby is this 20-year old woman's first child.
Photo: Motorbike convenience stores roam the rural regions providing everyday household items to rural villagers who may not have transportation to local markets. Vietnamese entrepreneurs can be seen carrying huge cooking pots and other items making it impossible to see anything but a moving overloaded vehicle and no driver.
Photo: As long distance rural buses stop for passengers, local village vendors surround the bus with take-a-way food for the journey. They also sell their recently harvested crops as they were doing this day. The next stop will assuredly provide a 'buffet on wheels'. Although uncomfortable and over crowed, passengers all join in a friendly good time. When visiting Southern Laos, this is an excellent way to experience authentic rural life.
Photo: Fishing at Mr. Orahan's rice field pond. It is hard to believe these small fish, caught by bare hands, would later feed 75 guests at his rice field party. Snake eggs were the delicacy of the day.
Photo: The strength and determination of these rural village men and women moved their neighbor's traditional house to a more desirable location.
Photo: Orchids are prevalent in Southern Laos. Indigo Threads office gardens have a number of varieties, this one being from the Rhynchostylis family. Fifty cent seedlings are readily available and simple to grow successfully.
Photo: My new Laotian 'sister'; same age and has never been married but a loving Aunt to many.
Sabaidee greetings from Mary D. Meyer at mdmeyer@indigothreads.org
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