Sabaidee! It has been quite the roller coaster of a month, as we have been very busy packing and preparing for our departure.
School started back up again in early September, and the streets were filled with girls and boys sporting their school uniforms. I decided that I wanted to go to the village school again for a couple weeks so that I could see my friends before we have to leave for Canada.
Because I studied in “Year 2, room 2” before, I am now studying in “Year 3, room 2”. It turns out that all the same people who were in my class before are still in it now, which was great because I get to see the friends and people I know again. I get a lot of funny questions from the girls, questions about Canada, and a lot of requests to teach them words in English.
I also find that I can understand a lot more Lao now then I could the last time that I was at school a couple months ago. I can continue on conversations a lot more, and I understand more of what the teacher is teaching. Here are a few of my notes from school:
Geography notes 
Math notes
Another thing that has been happening this month is that it has been raining very, very heavily. At the start of the month it rained for 4 days straight (there wasn’t even one break!). Since there are quite a few rivers in Laos, this rain caused some major flooding. Lots of houses in Pakse were halfway underwater, Tad Lo (The place we went for Pii Mai Lao) had to be evacuated, and so did Salavan City (the central hub of Salavan province). Luckily the water is quickly drying up, and people affected by the flooding have been brought food, water, and blankets.
Because of the rain, the animals of the people who live across from us were getting very cold. So while these rains lasted we kept them in our yard so that they had a nice little dry shelter under the stilt-house in our backyard, and plenty of greens to munch on.
One of the big goats 
Funny fella 
Lots of goats
Mom also saw this crazy snake at the farm one day while I was at school. It’s called a “Red-tailed Pit Viper”. Even the farm workers seemed terrified of her, so Mom snapped this picture very quickly and made sure to keep her distance.
Lastly, yesterday we were invited to give alms (or “Bai sai baht” in Lao) to the monks at the temple. We have done this a few times now, and I did do a post about it not too long ago, but I wanted to share a few images of the Laongam temple. It is always a very special experience to go to the temple, and I think it was a really nice thing to do one last time right before we leave for Canada.
Temple Pics: 
Mom and I in our Lao Sinhs
Currently it is the 14th, and we are leaving Laongam on the 18th. I can’t even fathom that I only have 4 days left in this village that has been my home for the last year. As much as I do feel excitement for getting back, I feel so sad that we are leaving. I will have another post soon about our last days in Laongam, and I will keep you posted on our progress back to Canada.
La garn for now.
*Word of the day: Ngoo (Pronounced: noo), it means snake!
Taya's Laos Blog 
Sa-baai-dii beauiful Taya ….. Khwap jai for your informative and beautiful post ….. WOW !!! I am very impressed by your Lao writing – so much you have learned in this past year ….. The goats and pig that you and Mom gave refuge to are beautiful ….. The Ngoo – such a big fellow – WOW ….. You are going to miss the people and they are going to miss you – such a special time you all experienced together ….. Safe travels – so much love from me, Auntie Tricia xoxoxo
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Writing in Laos! That’s impressive. It will be sad to leave all the people you’ve met, but you’ll be able to stay in touch and hopefully not lose you’re ability to read, write, and speak Laos.
Love the snake, what a beauty…from a distance.
Scary storms- way to help out!
Lots of people can’t wait to see you and your Mom!
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