the grass ain't greener, the wine ain't sweeter, either side of the hill

     My original reasons for living in Lao were to live in a warmer climate, in a place filled with friendly people, that was inexpensive to live, and live the simple, non-materialistic way they have lived for generations on end. The biggest reason, was to experience the lifestyle steeped in 2500 years of Theravada Buddhist beliefs. I have shown that the local people do not embrace Buddhist beliefs (in general, because I know one family that actually does), and I have shown that the simple, non-materialistic lifestyle is quickly fading away. As for friendly people, well my little village is not the place, but I am willing to give Pakse a chance to show me different. It is still a relatively inexpensive place to live, but I have not covered the warmer climate aspect.

COFFEE FIELD - BOLAVAN PLATEAU - NEAR PAKSONG

     I’ve been here before for the cool season Nov-Feb, and that is the perfect temperature of the year. The hot season Mar-June has been hard on my body. The first time it was over 40 C (110 F) both day and night, for days on end, I got sick, running a fever. My body couldn’t adjust to the continual heat. A Lao friend gave me some medicine, and I was better in a few days. A few weeks ago, it was again over 40 C both day and night, with the added bonus of near 100% humidity! You got it, I got sick again. I thought I was prepared, and took the same medicine as before, but this did not help this time. I went into Champasak, and checked into an aircon room at my friends guesthouse. Getting to a cooler environment helped, as well as some additional meds. What this has gotten me to believe, is that if I stay here during the hot season, I need to live in an aircon house. The problem with aircon, however, is that I get congested whenever I spend any time in an aircon room. Hmmm . . .

COFFEE PLANT IN FULL BLOOM

     Well, so, here I am. The last three blog posts have filled you in on my experience thus far. Now we are all in the same place of understanding. I sure thought things would move a lot slower here than they actually do. My reasons for living in this country have been crossed out, except the inexpensive living situation. I am not sure if that is enough to keep me here. I have time to think more before I make any decisions on my future. What I do know, is that I am quite happy with myself for having a dream, working toward it for years, and going for it! It was a HUGE move to get here, and I did it! And that makes me smile! Where I go in my future doesn’t really concern me, it will all work out. If I can get here and live this dream, I can do anything!!!

COFFEE FLOWERS - EACH ONE CREATES A COFFEE BEAN

we can share what we got of yours, 'cause we done shared all of mine

     In the short time I have lived in Lao, I find it no different than the surrounding countries. The people are struggling to survive and they see a rich foreigner and want my money. The difference in Lao is that they don’t come out and ask for it. Instead they get angry with me because I won’t hire them to do my laundry, cook for me, clean for me, and do yard work for me. They don’t understand that I am not wealthy and from a world perspective, I am a poor man. They will, however, steal from me. Even with a fence and locked gates around my house, anything left outside will be gone in the morning, tools, chairs, water hose, clothes line, even part of a light fixture! I am told that the Lao people live a community-based lifestyle. When one needs something in anothers yard, they go take it. This only works if everyone does this. Me, I’m not going to go into someone’s yard and take things, I think that is stealing. My question is, if this is a ‘community-based’ lifestyle, why are so many bars being put on windows, and fences being built? I’m not talking about simple fences to keep the animals out, I’m talking about cement posts, metal grills between, and spikey metal along the top. Another question is why does everyone bring their motorcycle inside the house at night? Seems to me there is a contradiction here, between this ‘community’ living and private property.

AGAIN, NO PIX FOR THIS BLOG POST - BUT WE STILL LOVE ELEPHANTS

     

     I think I am living in Lao at a time of transition, between their way of life of thousands of years, and the modern world. Most families have a television, and since there are no Lao tv shows, they watch Thai tv shows. Well, Thailand is easily twenty years ahead of Lao, and they have loads of advertisements. When the Lao people watch these commercials, they want things. This is what tv and advertising is all about. In this case it is to manipulate the people and have them give up thousands of years of culture, so they can buy things they don’t need. Of course, the banking system sees opportunity, because this is what they do, manipulate the people to get a little bit of money from a lot of people. This is why the local Lao population can now buy building materials, motos, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, etc. The problem is that the interest rate is 25%, so the Lao people, who struggle to feed themselves, are now in debt for the first time in their lives. And at this interest rate, they will be in debt for generations to come. The Lao people watch the Thai tv and see them living in big houses and having all the stuff to put inside, and they want it all too.

PASSING THROUGH CHAMPASAK ON THE WAY TO WAT PHOU

     

     Now, here I come to live in Lao, ignorant of all this, because nobody ever tells you these things. All the books and websites say how great Lao is. The few people I knew ahead of time say how great Lao is. The travelers I talk with, say that Lao is their favorite country in Southeast Asia. This is because they see so many smiling people and nobody is trying to get their money. Well, live here a short time and you too, will realize that the Lao people want your money. I think Lao is in a time of transition to the modern world, but the country lacks a vital part, industry. There are no jobs for the people. The Lao people buy all this stuff yet have no job to pay their debts. The banking system already figured this out because to get a loan, the Lao people had to put up their land and/or house as collateral. I think this will create some problems for the local population in the future. Maybe living in the Lao countryside is not such a good idea, a city might be better, as more people in the city have jobs.

TEN MORE KILOMETERS TO WALK TODAY

     

     I have learned a great deal over the little time I have lived in Lao. This is not the place I thought it was, and life here is a daily struggle. Living in the countryside, in a small village, has given me a perspective I would not get in the city. Maybe it was best to live here first. I’m currently thinking of looking for a small rental house in the city of Pakse. It may take me a few months to work this out, but I am paid up the next couple months, where I currently live. I think it would be good to get another view of this country, and living six months in a small village and living six months in a city, would give me a more complete picture of Lao. Thanks for reading, cheers!!!

GOING TO THE ELEPHANT RACES AT THE WAT PHOU FESTIVAL