Blog Post #4 - Learning the Lao Language

I strongly believe that making every effort to learn the language of a place you are visiting or working is very important. Not only is it a sign of respect, but you also get a great feeling putting a smile on someone listening to you struggle through a conversation. We cannot expect everyone around the world to learn English!

Lao is not an easy language, but the people of the Laos have greatly appreciated the strong efforts I have made in the last two weeks to learn. I am already at the point where I can have basic conversations. Fortunately, Cuso has sponsored me to attend a daily Lao language class for two hours every day. Most evenings I also travel to the night markets to speak with vendors, bargaining, buying and asking as many random questions as they can tolerate.

Our Lao Language School

The school is guarded by our furry pal, "No Name"

You would be buying a lot of vowels on the Laos version of the Wheel of Fortune

I may sound like an idiot to them most of the time, but I am making leaps and bounds towards my goal of learning the language for full conversations at the office.

This book is my bible and goes with me everywhere in case I forget a word mid-conversation

I still must learn the word for "Blizzard"!!

Blog Post #3 - Top "New" Food Picks

I may not be a Michelin star critic but I have had my fair share of good meals around the world. Here are my top picks from my first week in Laos. Still trying to venture into some stuff that is more uniquely 'Laotian,' but there have been some amazing foods and snacks so far.

But before I get into my picks, here is a quick food story. About an hour ago I was biking through the streets and a motorbike pulled up beside me. Two Chinese guys asked me if I knew where the closest pizza place was. I told them to follow me and took them to a chain restaurant called The Pizza Company. Really good pizza, but a bit on the pricey side (for Laos standards). Upon arrival they asked me to join them. Seemed like really nice guys so why not, right?

It was a great meal, but I soon found out that they were black market wood smugglers (some rare stuff that rich Chinese guys like to burn). They started showing me pictures and were almost bragging about their smuggling escapades. I guess they realized I did not how to report them so did not mind sharing. They even started pulling tiger bones out of their backpack. Must say it was one of my most interesting pizza experiences, but how can I complain, they paid for the whole meal.

Now for the top picks (not paid for by smugglers):

#1 Oats French Toast with Mango, whipped cream and maple syrup from a great Canadian cafe called Joma Bakery!

Probably the best French Toast I have ever had!

#2 PhaNaeng Chicken with Rice. Of course with a mango lassi!
Pretty standard meal but amazing curry!

#3 Why eat potato chips when you can have fried crickets and fried worms. Surprisingly quite good with a nice crunch. 

#4 Boiled snails with spicy dipping sauce. Nuff said?

#5 Cannot remember the name of this last pick, but basically a ginger, lemon and coconut broth with prawns. Typically served for a group table to share (I wish I had known that before ordering one for myself). Very spicy but so worth the package of Kleenex for the runny nose.

No doubt with a glass of BeerLao!

Blog Post #2 - Road Safety

I have arrived safe and sound in my new (temporary) home of Vientiane Laos. Although I have already had some frustrating phone and internet problems (almost as expected), I am starting to get the lay of the land. One of my most important lessons so far has been ROAD SAFETY...especially because I am road biking a few kilometers to work everyday.

Here are some pictures that illustrate the "organized" chaos that defines traffic in Vientiane.

Motorbikes and cars must learn to share the road. But zig zagging through traffic means survival of the fittest

  

I live very close to Patuxai!

Tuk tuks are the staple South East Asian mode of transport for both tourists and locals

Biking on the roads is definitely not for the faint of heart. On top of watching out for cars whizzing past inches away from your bike, I have also had to be on the lookout for potentially rabid dogs that will not shy away from chasing you. Today alone I was chased by three dogs on two separate occasions. All were not happy...maybe I came too close to their piece of sidewalk, or looked a bit intimidating with a helmet that they do not see often. Very glad I got my rabies shots before arriving.

I now carry a stick in my bike basket to scare any dogs that come too near. I hope I do not have to use it

Blog Post #1 - Top 5 Whackiest Items Being Packed

Just finished eating my last dinner in Calgary at my favorite pizza spot, A Pizza Plus. Thought I would give this blogging thing a first try.

For those of you who aren't already sick of hearing more about rice farming from someone that knows little about it (yet!), I will provide a quick Cole's Notes of my next 8-months:

• Supply chain business adviser for the Sustainable Agriculture and Environment Development Association (SAEDA from now on!)
• Volunteering for 6 months in Vientiane with regular field trips to rural northern Laos
• Trying my best to learn the language and speak with rice farmers to help them out!
• Travelling for two months after the placement...definitely India for at least half

And I would not be a consultant if I did not follow directions and include the mandatory italics...

"the views expressed in this blog are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of Cuso International."

I started putting ideas for what my first ever blog post could focus on, and I landed on this one. I think it really fits my personality. Enjoy!!



#1 Packing three of my FAVORITE games for making new friends. I imagine one or two Beerlao will be consumed in the process.

Snagged some zip locks from the ex-roommates so they don't take up half a suitcase...although the space would not go to waste.

Of course I cannot be working with Laos rice farmers and not have Settlers of Catan. I've already replaced all the wheat with my own design....

 #2 Although you could easily miss the impressive base tan that I have put on over the last week, bucket hats are a must for sun protection...and simply being NYC runway fashionable. I go few places without my bucket hat, its been everywhere from ski hills to BIG cities. And now it will make the journey to Vientiane!

A huge shoutout to a friend for the green bucket. I will rock some MEC apparel to match, and blend in to the fields.

 #3 My roommate happens to have a few small connections with Rosso Coffee Roasters. He set me up with an Aeropresse and two of his amazing new Colombian beans. Find them at your nearest Rosso in Calgary!

Roasted here in Calgary but sourced directly from small farmers in Colombia. I guess working with farmers runs in the "roommate family." I cannot wait to share my stories with you over a mug of Laos' finest beans. Maybe I will come back with a new device for future brews.

(That's a manual coffee bean grinder for anyone too used to those wall plugs. Try one out and build some amazing glutes as you put all you got into that perfect grind)

 #4 I hear its hot outside in Laos, and also that there are a few unexploded ordance lying about. We will just have to be less aggressive with the bocce throws.

Basically in summary, yard games with real snakes in the grass....Ladders for when the super disc gets stuck in a palm tree.

#5 I never go anymore without some souvenirs for new friends and little menaces you cant help but grow attached to. I think its something that I started by watching my mom pack for our past family adventures.

She has her legendary travel stories. But while she may have once had no problem saying goodbye to home, she hates having to see her son leave town for 8 months.










See you all next year! Comment on what whacky things you think I am missing.....or very obvious things that I have probably totally forgotten about.

I am off to the airport. Calgary >> Vancouver  >> Taipei >> Hanoi >> Vientiane

Cheers,
Jesse