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Village Visit--Ban Lang Lao |
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At the next school, Lang Lao, we arrive at recess time |
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and we're ushered into what I thought was the teacher's meeting room We chat merrily with the director |
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| I asked him about the effects of the war on his village. He replied that the American bombing did not have much effect on this area | |
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Moving outside, we present him with books and materials |
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and he adjourns to the real teachers meeting--outside, around a fire, trying to keep warm on this cool dreary day |
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while I move into the playground, surrounded by dozens of eager kids |
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I love relating to them |
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so alive, so vibrant |
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we again stroll the village |
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I ask this family if they have a happy life Yes, they're proud of their family; they're poor but they love their village |
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and this family
"Yes, we have a happy life, but some years--when crops are bad--we go a bit hungry"
Although a communist country, there is apparently very little social safety net here |
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They're happy with the community feeling of their village, and with being close to nature |
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This is a Hmong village, whereas the first two villages are Lao The Hmong are an Asian ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand |
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According to Wikipedia, some Hmong fought against the
Pathet Lao during the Laotian Civil War, and were singled out for
retribution when the Pathet Lao took over the Laotian government in 1975
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We get out of the rain, and huddle by the fire |
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with jovial companions |
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