I like the idea of being in an entirely new place; better if in a place with a dialect or a language I don't understand. Why? Because it gave me an excuse to everything. I always think that people would forgive my weird actions because I am a foreigner, like how I would see my Korean classmates and think that folding the hem of their jogging pants to knees length was weird. But since they were Korean, it was acceptable; maybe not only for me but for other people as well.
My major concern, though, is that I look closely like a Lao. Most of the locals I encounter here would think I am a local, too. Sometimes, Thai, but yeah they also look the same. Yesterday, when I came to the office, a Lao staff greeted me "Sabaidee" and I replied by saying "Good morning!" much to his surprise. I heard him talking to another officemate about how he thought I was a local.
This morning, when buying a coffee in a nearby shop, I was stupid enough not to find the entrance. But really, who would put the main entrance not on the main road. To make things short, it's not my fault but the shop's. LOL. Anyways, a middle aged man was talking to me, instructing me where to go in Lao. I said I am not Lao and that I speak English. Again, he was surprised.
And this maybe the most bewildering by far. I went to the Philippine embassy to accompany an officemate for a passport renewal. Even the Filipino there thought I was Lao. Haha.
So I guess I can adapt very well to this place. I've been here for exactly two weeks now, but it feels like I lived here for a long time. I still would get lost in this city, but I think I found a home in a distant land. I'd stay here longer only if I don't have to wash my clothes everyday.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Sep!
Though I miss my mom's home cooked meals, I'm having fun trying out Lao food. The first Lao food I tried is called koup piak (or something like that). I wasn't a fan of noodles, but since I'm eating it two nights in a row, I think I'm starting to like it.
I especially like this with crispy fried pork and some fish balls (I'm not sure if they are really fish balls, though). The white noodles didn't appeal much to my taste buds, but I learned to appreciate it after some time. Someone told me that this also contains some carabao grass, but I doubt if it's real.
And finally, fresh veggies! Lao people are very fond of eating raw vegetables. I can't blame them though, their vegetables here are very fresh and delicious. :)
I haven't really explored much so I still haven't tried a lot of their food. But I can share some interesting facts that might surprise visiting foreigners. First, they wash wooden disposable chop sticks. I was taken aback by this, but had gotten used to it anyways. You can't do anything when you have no choice anyways. So, if you're an OC, better bring your own chopsticks. Second, sticky rice is more popular here than steamed rice. Sticky rice is yummy especially when eaten the proper way. So you get an amount of rice with your bare hands, press the rice together using the fingers on your left hands and eat with your right hand! It's hard to explain so you have to see a Lao in action to understand. Haha. Third, I have no third. Sep means yum!
I especially like this with crispy fried pork and some fish balls (I'm not sure if they are really fish balls, though). The white noodles didn't appeal much to my taste buds, but I learned to appreciate it after some time. Someone told me that this also contains some carabao grass, but I doubt if it's real.
I forgot the local name for this dish, but I think this is their own version of spring rolls. Inside it contains ground pork and some herbs. I think the wrapper is made out of rice at it tastes like it. Initially I thought this is Siomai, but it tastes far from it. I like the sweet-spicy taste of this dish's dip.
Maybe my mind is automatically correlating Lao and Filipino food as I thought this would taste like Adobo. But it doesn't taste anything like it. I like this dish though. Well, I can really eat anything pork.
I haven't really explored much so I still haven't tried a lot of their food. But I can share some interesting facts that might surprise visiting foreigners. First, they wash wooden disposable chop sticks. I was taken aback by this, but had gotten used to it anyways. You can't do anything when you have no choice anyways. So, if you're an OC, better bring your own chopsticks. Second, sticky rice is more popular here than steamed rice. Sticky rice is yummy especially when eaten the proper way. So you get an amount of rice with your bare hands, press the rice together using the fingers on your left hands and eat with your right hand! It's hard to explain so you have to see a Lao in action to understand. Haha. Third, I have no third. Sep means yum!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
One thousand three hundred miles away
When I told myself I would get out of my comfort zone last year, fate didn't take it jokingly. It did took me out of my zone... approximately 1300 miles away.
I've been staying here in Laos for a week now, although it seemed to me that I've been here for a long time. I didn't mean that in a bad way. I think I haven't felt a tinge of homesickness except when dusk comes, when I usually feels sad even at home.
Amazingly, you can find a lot of foreigners here. Some came to tour, but I have an impression that most come to "save" the country. I even read a review that there isn't much to see in Laos because of its "characterlessness". But I beg to disagree; Laos isn't poor, neither is it boring.
I've talked to one of my Lao officemates, and I asked her if she were given the chance to work abroad, would she grab it. But she said no, because she wanted to stay in Laos where life is simple and peaceful. Over my few days stay, I can testify to that. They always remain calm and level-headed whatever the situation is. Like a few days ago, another Lao officemate knocked a motorcycle down. She was using a car. The guy who owns the motorcycle was slightly bruised. They just talked and she helped him clean his bruises and then everything's settled. In my country, the chance of that happening is maybe as thin as a hair strand.
This is when I realized that poverty is really relative. I've heard my professors talk about this but only now that I understood it fully. What they needed isn't economic advancement, at least that's what I think. If I were a country, I think I'm a lot like Lao. I'm not rich, but earning a lot of money isn't my top priority.
I've been staying here in Laos for a week now, although it seemed to me that I've been here for a long time. I didn't mean that in a bad way. I think I haven't felt a tinge of homesickness except when dusk comes, when I usually feels sad even at home.
Amazingly, you can find a lot of foreigners here. Some came to tour, but I have an impression that most come to "save" the country. I even read a review that there isn't much to see in Laos because of its "characterlessness". But I beg to disagree; Laos isn't poor, neither is it boring.
I've talked to one of my Lao officemates, and I asked her if she were given the chance to work abroad, would she grab it. But she said no, because she wanted to stay in Laos where life is simple and peaceful. Over my few days stay, I can testify to that. They always remain calm and level-headed whatever the situation is. Like a few days ago, another Lao officemate knocked a motorcycle down. She was using a car. The guy who owns the motorcycle was slightly bruised. They just talked and she helped him clean his bruises and then everything's settled. In my country, the chance of that happening is maybe as thin as a hair strand.
This is when I realized that poverty is really relative. I've heard my professors talk about this but only now that I understood it fully. What they needed isn't economic advancement, at least that's what I think. If I were a country, I think I'm a lot like Lao. I'm not rich, but earning a lot of money isn't my top priority.
Friday, January 6, 2012
2012
For most people, New Year is seen as a turning point of their lives, a chance to start all over, a blank slate. Ever since, I could not remember a year I actually made a resolution for the New Year. I wasn't much of a believer that people can actually change over night just because they decided to... well, in most cases.
Year 2011 came like a blink of an eye. It's nearly a year since I graduated college and the things I planned before Graduation day didn't really materialize. I guess I am better at short term planning rather than planning for the far future. I've been tossed here and there, did things that weren't originally in my blue print. However, I would not consider that as time wasted; it was a year full of brand new experiences I never dared imagine.
I told myself last year that come 2012, I'd look for a permanent job with better benefits and all. But I've known myself too well that what I'm looking for isn't stability. I like doing things I'm passionate of. I never really dreamt of becoming rich and famous. Maybe I have, but it wasn't my major dream. I'd like to find something that wouldn't just earn me money, but would also satisfy the desires of my heart.
Last year, for a project I did for this company, they asked me to travel to five cities in Mindanao to interview some people. Being a home body, I wasn't really convinced that I can travel alone. First of all, I wasn't very street smart. Second, I am not really street smart. But my whole perspective about myself changed when I was already in that situation. I remember a saying that said you become strongest when the only one you can rely on is yourself. This is true; I never thought I can do these things on my own until I could only depend on myself.
A new challenge awaits me this 2012. Yes, the uncertainty of a new opportunity chills me to the bones. In fact, I am very afraid. But as I always am, I'm already excited for the ending even if the Once-upon-a-time hasn't started. So, 2012, brace yourself--I'll get out of you wiser and stronger. :)
Year 2011 came like a blink of an eye. It's nearly a year since I graduated college and the things I planned before Graduation day didn't really materialize. I guess I am better at short term planning rather than planning for the far future. I've been tossed here and there, did things that weren't originally in my blue print. However, I would not consider that as time wasted; it was a year full of brand new experiences I never dared imagine.
I told myself last year that come 2012, I'd look for a permanent job with better benefits and all. But I've known myself too well that what I'm looking for isn't stability. I like doing things I'm passionate of. I never really dreamt of becoming rich and famous. Maybe I have, but it wasn't my major dream. I'd like to find something that wouldn't just earn me money, but would also satisfy the desires of my heart.
Last year, for a project I did for this company, they asked me to travel to five cities in Mindanao to interview some people. Being a home body, I wasn't really convinced that I can travel alone. First of all, I wasn't very street smart. Second, I am not really street smart. But my whole perspective about myself changed when I was already in that situation. I remember a saying that said you become strongest when the only one you can rely on is yourself. This is true; I never thought I can do these things on my own until I could only depend on myself.
A new challenge awaits me this 2012. Yes, the uncertainty of a new opportunity chills me to the bones. In fact, I am very afraid. But as I always am, I'm already excited for the ending even if the Once-upon-a-time hasn't started. So, 2012, brace yourself--I'll get out of you wiser and stronger. :)
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