Sao Lao

It is the third day in Laos and I am finally in Pakse. It has been a long journey from Vientiane with little sleep for me. The only thought that kept me going is to see the face of my Grand-Mama for the first time. The bus driver was kind enough to make a stop for us only a few meters from my aunt’s house. Since we all sat in the front row I was the third person to get off the bus, helping my aunt K to the side of the road. I saw four or five guys waiting for us and were ready to help with our bags.

We walked a few meters to a side road and came to a white brick house with brown roof. There were four children sitting on the front porche playing. From the gate I can see an old lady sitting on the floor in the livingroom. She looks so old and frail and was staring at the street, probaly waiting for us to arrive. When the four of us got inside the house I noticed there were quite a few people, all walking around and busy with various tasks.

I said “sabaidee Yaa” and gave her the proper greeting, the Lao nop. She said “oh you are here my grand-daughter” and asked about my journey and whether or not I was tired. Then she told me to go take a nap with my cousin Bay. I told her I was not tired and that I want to visit with her. My two other aunts told me in unison to go take a shower. One thing I have noticed is that my relatives tend to ask me whether I want to take a shower or have I taken a shower yet through out the day. It must be a Lao thing since I hardly do anything for the most part, except to just sit there, watch TV and eat.

I went to take a shower and came back to sit down next to my Grand-Mama. She was caring for my aunt K who was still suffering from motion sickness. My Grand-Mama said something that is so typical of a mother. She said to my aunt K, “I don’t understand why you are not like me. I never get sick from taking a plane, a bus, or a car. Why can’t you be more like me?”

I asked my Grand-Mama if I can have a moment with her. I took a look at her knees and asked her various questions. She told me how she fell down about eight months ago while coming back from the bathroom. She fell on the kitchen floor and being a stubborn person that she is, Grand-Mama tried to get up again and fell for the second time, giving herself more injuries.

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