I awake in the upstairs room of the old teak house to an unknown world. Outside, Laos is bright and alive, but I savor a moment behind the floral red curtains, catching only sounds. Kids laughing and yelling to each other. The whir of the ceiling fan. “Sabaidee!” Downstairs I’m greeted by Mr. Somphone, my […]
Laos
6 Local Foods to Seek Out in Laos
Most travelers to Southeast Asia are well-prepared for the delights of Thai cuisine. They know their Tom Yum soup from their Som Tam salad, and some are even ready for the “pet, pet” (spicy) factor. But anticipation of Lao food? Not so much. Even though it’s just a hop over the Mekong River from Thailand, […]
International Women’s Day: Vive la femme!
International Women’s Day holds a special meaning for me. I remember the first time I celebrated it, in the sleepy Indochina outpost of Savannakhet, Laos. My partner and I had rolled into town and serendipitously, as these things happen in travel, connected with a bright and bubbly Lao gal named Jooky. Jooky invited us for […]