-I'm 275 pages into Dicken's Bleak House. I've been trying to read this book for at least three years but never made it past the first 50 pages. Only 725 more to go!
-I tried papaya salad, which is unripe papaya, tomatoes, hot peppers, noodles, some fruit we don't have, sugar, and fermented fish sauce. It was okay until I tasted the fish sauce.
-I've grossed out Julia's Lao roommates by "only" taking one cold shower most days. Yesterday I broke down and showered twice, but I just hate having cold, wet hair two times in one day!
-I bought a classic Mickey backpack. Ridiculous, right? But I'd never find it this cheap at home!
-I learned how to drive a motor bike. Don't worry, Mom. It was just out in front of the house.
-Being here reminds me so much of Chihuahua, Mexico, except with tropical greenery and humid air. The dirt is red, and the people are very kind.
-I accidentally wear my shoes in the house sometimes. It's really a gross habit, if you think about it.
-No happy dances (or any dances, for that matter) at the dinner table. No bad faces if you don't like the food either. You have to pretend it's the yummiest thing you've ever tasted and then be suddenly full.
-Peanut M&Ms are my comfort food. I don't feel too bad eating Julia's candy stash since I carted the 5lb bag halfway across the globe.
-MSG is used as table salt here. I'm trying to avoid that headache trigger, but it's not always easy. Gluten is hard enough! Hooray for rice, rice, rice! Everyone has been so kind and accommodating about my gluten intolerance. Sone speaks in Lao for me at all the restaurants so we're sure there's no miscommunication.
-I love Julia's Lao roommates! They are so kind! Before you can blink, they've washed the dishes, swept the floors, and crocheted you something special. I came here hoping to help, and I'm being served left and right. I finally demanded to do the dishes this morning. (But then the sink leaked and I had to ask for help anyway.)
-This is the way to see a country. Hands down. Julia takes me to all her favorite places and points out the best foods and markets while at the same time making me feel as comfortable as possible. Best of all, she shares her friends with me, and I can see why she's crazy about this place.
A few photos from this week:
Cookie baking with Julia's students at "cooking club" at Julia's house.
Julia and me with one of her classes.
At Buddha Park with Sone and Nouy (sisters and Julia's Lao roommates).
More sisters at Buddha Park. :)
(Sone made that cute hat for me!)
