New Year, New Friends

Over the New Year holiday, Michael and I went down to the river near our house. We saw a man washing clothes and began talking with him. Naturally, he spoke very little English, but we were able to learn some things about him. We learned that his wife had just had a baby the day before. We also found out that he was staying on our street. We took a gift over and met some of his family. We practiced language with them and I taught them to play Spades. We were so excited to have some new friends in our neighborhood! Then we found out that he and his wife do not live here, but in Vientiane. They left a couple days after we met them.  We did, however, meet some of his extended family that live near us. We've been able to spend a lot of time with them. We have had a couple meals with them, one of them including rat!!

When I went over for a visit, I noticed some young men playing cards. I asked them what they were doing and they invited me to play. We all sat down and they handed me the cards and looked at me. I quickly thought of a game I knew how to play...Spades! I had the best time teaching them with the little Lao that I was able to speak.

This is the sweet baby that was only one day old when we met him. They hadn't even named him yet. The dad asked Michael for suggestions! We hope to see this sweet family again. We're visiting Vientiane soon, so maybe we'll catch up with them. Michael has kept in touch with the husband over the phone, which is hilarious to listen to since the man speaks virtually no English and Michael speaks little Lao.