Sao Lao

This past winter was really cold in Laos. It was a long winter months right up to Lao New Year celebration in April. It was said on the news that this year was the coldest year in the last 30 years. For many people in Laos, they did they best to stay warm. With no indoor heating, it was quite difficult and many tried they best with wearing as much clothes as possible. For little Sidney, she was all bundled up like a snow bunny.

This was Sidney on January 31, 2008.

Sidney on February 15, 2008.

The majority of my classmates (international students) stay at Hooigracht, a former hosptial. If I had to choose one of the student apartments near the university, this would be my first choice. I knew a girl who used to live there for two years until she moved in with another student with her own apartment across the street from Leiden Centraal Station. Each time I visited her, I was fascinated by the charming characteristics of this historical monument.

The apartment building at Hooigracht 15 contains more than 200 modern, self-contained apartments for a maximum rental period of one year. The building is located in the centre of Leiden, and is close to city centre with shops, market and town hall. There are two supermarkets within walking distance of the building. The apartment building is close to a bus stop and it will take a 7 minute bikeride to reach Leiden Central Station.

This building is classified as a historical monument with its history going back to 1892. It has been used for various purposes and has had a variety of occupants, but in Leiden it is known foremost as the former Elisabeth Hospital (1892-1972). In 2001 it was acquired by SLS Wonen and has since been used mostly for housing international students.

In 2007 the building was completely renovated and modernised but its character remains intact. The stained glass, the original ornaments, the enclosed garden, and colours used for the interior remind one of times past. The single and double occupancy apartments are equipped with all modern conveniences. All the apartments are furnished and have a fully equipped kitchen, plus a bathroom with shower and toilet.

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On her way home from Wat Nongbone, Aunt Kian made one last stop for me. She went by my former house to take some photos for me. She didn’t know whether or not she had the right house and asked a couple of people and they still remember my mother and also the death of my sister. The old house is gone but the new owner built a new house on the same spot. I can still see the coconut trees that my parents grew for us. We each had a coconut tree to take care of and now they are all bearing fruits. I don’t know if the owner of the house is still the same one that my parents sold the house to before we moved to stay with my grandmother in Phon Tong.

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Since I was not able to visit my hometown, Ban Nongbone during my trip to Laos last year, I asked Aunt Kian to drive by the neighborhood and take some photos for me. After her visit to Wat That Luang, which is up the street from my former house, Aunt Kian went to Wat Nongbone, my temple and also where I started first grade there. The temple is a resting place of my sister. She was cremated there and her Tad is there somewhere. When I go back to Laos the next time I will try to find her Tad. I was heartbroken that my parents didn’t take me to the temple to pay respect to my deceased sister.

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A few weeks ago I asked Aunt Kian to take some photos of my Grand-Papa’s old house. I used to visit him often when my mother took me to That Luang market for evening grocery shopping. Sometimes she parked her motorbike infront of this house and we walked to the market and back for a short visit. When we used to live around That Luang marsh, I walked and walked to Grand-Papa’s house just to visit his wife and kids. The house still looks the same with the exception of one additional floor (top roof) the new owner recently added. Grand-Papa sold this house a few years ago. I had hope to go back and see this house in person.

I watched the contruction of the house from start to finish. Since Grand-Papa owned a construction company, he built the house himself. Watching the construction of this house got me interested in architecture. I wanted to be an architect and then one day run Grand-Papa’s company. Of course at that time I also wanted to be an ambassador like my Great Uncle, Maha Khang. He was my grandmother’s older brother. Those were the only two things I wanted to grow up and be as a kid in Laos. Now, I don’t know what I want to be at times.

Music video from the hit Thai lakorn, Khene Lum Khong. This song is called Thinking of Duang Champa, by Noon Woranuch.

On June 06, 2008, the new student water sport center was opened officially. I didn’t get a chance to visit the place since it was the day to turn in the final version of our Master Thesis. From the photos posted on Leiden University website, the building is beautiful and situated at the right location with the view of the Dwarswatering, the green heart and the club house of Asopos the Vliet. The lucky 89 students will be living above the boat houses. It’s a perfect home for these students with their love for water sports.

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A couple of short clips from the making of Sabaidee Luang Prabang movie, staring Ananda Everingham and Khamlek Pallawong.

Laos is the top destination in Asia for ecotourism. There is plenty to do at the World Heritage Town of Luang Prabang as well as Wat Phu in Champassak province. Check out the two promotional clips from the Lao National Tourism Administration. You just might want to head down to the land of a million elephants.

Laos is no doubt the jewel of the Mekong. This is the promotional video from Lao National Tourism Administration.