Fight Night

When I received an email from Carol (our recent social coordinator) about heading out to watch Muay Lao boxing I instantly had the urge to delete the note. I’m not one for anything violent and I have friends that know to never suggest a horror or action movie because I will talk through its entirety or watch through my fingers with clenched teeth.  However, I thought it’s time to be a bit of a risk taker and step out of my comfort zone.  Boxing, here I come!! 

Muay Lao is a traditional unarmed martial art from Laos. It is similar to Muay Thai in Thailand, Pradal Serey in Cambodia, Tomoi in Malaysia and as a similar art called Lethwei in Myanmar. It incorporates punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes. Muay Lao was an event at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane.

Carol and I doubled on the back of Scoopy the Scooter and met the crew in the school parking lot.  Us along with Mark, Marla, Nick and his son Jonas, Olivier, Jon, and Ollie convoyed to the venue.  I wasn’t sure what to expect but when we arrived we hurriedly parked our bikes.  Now, the nice Lao fella in front of me paid 2000 kip and I paid 5000.  Hmmm!!  20,000 kip was the entrance fee (about $2.50).  When we arrived there were two girls fighting.  One Lao and the other Thai.  It was quite underwhelming so I was quickly at ease about what I was going to see.

              
As I looked at the program, I was quick to realize that the weight classes were so light. This was no WWF, folks!
                                                                                                                                                          

Sadly, I somehow deleted my videos - so, I will let the pictures do the talking!

Apparently it is important to look inside a fighters shorts after  Knock Out!

Gotta run, my first boxing lesson is in about an hour!

Moncks Corner to well...Monks!

The thing that strikes many visitors to Vientiane, besides the beauty and solitude of the place, is the incredible number of Buddhist monks walking around. Dressed in those trademark saffron robes, you'll easily spot them walking in pairs, usually with an umbrella in hand to ward off either sunrays or raindrops. In the early morning hours, when they make their daily alms rounds through town, it seems as if a wave of orange is flowing down the streets.

Unlike their shy Thai colleagues, Lao monks are very friendly and approachable. Pay a visit to any temple in town and it's highly likely that a polite young monk - or group of them - will initiate a conversation with you. Most of these curious, conservational monks are of the novice variety, that is, they are usually teenagers still in school and not yet full-fledged men of the cloth.

Many of the novice monks come from poor villages throughout Laos to live and study at one of the many temples scattered around Vientiane. Obviously, being Buddhist monks, they are focused on learning about the teachings of Buddha, but novices also study a variety of academic subjects and languages such as Pali, French and English. Many of them can also speak Thai, a language that is quite similar to their native Lao. Those monks that want to pursue their education at a university must relocate to the capital of Vientiane and do so at one of the larger temples located here.

During the annual water festival in April that is held to celebrate the Buddhist New Year (called 'Pii Mai Lao'), many of the young monks get caught up in the spirit of the holiday and playfully sprinkle water on the backs of visiting tourists. They might also insist on tying a string, called a 'baci,' around your wrist while they chant a blessing or two. Whether in Vientiane or a small village, it is also common practice during the festival for monks to build giant sand castles, mini-stupas actually, on the grounds of each temple.

Townsfolk make reverential processions to their local temple and 'bathe' the Buddha images by pouring a cup of water over them or by brushing them gently with scented water and flower petals. Like in neighboring Thailand, the somber religious practices eventually leads to a bit of manic water throwing in the streets. But don't expect to see any of the monks joining the fray. No, that wouldn't be proper. Instead, you'll notice them curiously watching from a safe distance with bemused smiles on their faces.

Oh Canada!

No matter how long you live away from home, it's always so nice to see a package, letter, or post card from home!!  Last year I was lucky enough to receive a package from my Splurge Sisters which included movies, licorice, KD, and coffee crisp.  My sister sent all the needed Bath and Body Works accoutrements and of course, my mother spoiled me with all things I love - including my guilty pleasure, Veet!! My grandma just recently sent a nice card and a picture of us from her 90th birthday this summer.

Hard to believe this is my second year here in Laos - but the notion of 'care packages' never grows old.  As you all know, I am a huge fan of Clamato juice...more specifically, I'm a fan of "Caesars".  Imagine my absolute excitement when I received a care package from my friend, Rob - fully stocked with a few handfuls of "Caesar Pleaser" packets (powdered Caesar mix) and a perfect sized bag of "Swedish Berries".

Now, my  mother taught me that I should always share.  So instead of hoarding all my treasures, I suggested that our "Canadian Crew" have an evening of all things Canadian - including the infamous "Caesar".  Who doesn't love "Pub Grub"?!?

Carol, Todd, Alison, and I put our culinary skills together and created:  nachos, potato skins, chicken wings, and guacamole. Yes, a very low fat meal!!!  Best part of it all - the Caesars!! 

In the haste of filling our faces, I forgot to take pictures of the buffalo wings and guacamole - but the nachos were a hit!

Rob  may have created a monster.  Not only does he have one Canadian friend in Vientiane...he now has four! 

Ceasars, we love and miss you....

See you next week - we've gone to the gym to work off a wing or two!!