Sao Lao

I have a new love in my life and her name is Sidney. She is eight months old and a very sweet baby. My two aunts in Vientiane take care of her during the day time while her mother is at work. In Laos working mothers have a great deal of freedom. They get at least one month off with full paid after delivering a baby. Breastfeeding is encouraged by the Ministry of Health so working mothers would run home during lunch break to feed their babies. There is no daycare yet that I know of for infants and toddlers in Vientiane. Relatives and friends are the babysitters, free of charge. It’s the Lao way after all.

I get a big smile on my face and I feel warm inside when I think of her and each time I see her photos. She is not blood related to me but to her I am her auntie already. Last weekend I was out doing some windows shopping with Johan. Guess where I took him to mostly? Where else but little people’s clothes section. I told him I was looking for something pretty for Sidney. Johan asked me who Sidney is and I told him that she is the new love of my life. I can’t resist a face like that.

A documentary about Laos - Departure from the Land at the Mekong.