The Path

Linen Update: Perhaps it was hot pink overload, but the baby blue sheet and pillowcases dotted with tiny white hearts are a cool and welcome change. There are also royal blue larger heart outlines filled with royal blue mum-like blossoms and daisy chain runners down each side, under the favorite burnt red and yellow plumeria-patterned coverlet. Once again, it's a visual buffet.


The daily trek from the guesthouse to the Center and back could be fascinating because of the animals and the traffic, which are endlessly entertaining. It could be refreshing because of the brief respites from the heat provided by Ketsana, Parma, Lupit and Mirinae, the typhoons which drowned the Philippines, inundated Vietnam and periodically sprinkled Vientiane. It could be engaging because of items like the litre bottles filled with water mixed with red food coloring which stand on plastic stools and wooden boxes and signify that the shop behind them carries gasoline, just in case one runs out after the gas stations close and needs a few litres to get his car or scooter home. However, it is most interesting because of the human snapshots which take place on it. Yesterday, two seven-year old boys walked past me, their arms draped companionably around each other's waists, sharing the stories seven-year old boys share. While I was negotiating at the tailor's, a man asked for kip for hawpia (noodle soup). After considering for a moment, I handed him 5000k, which is what I pay. The tailor's daughter subtly nodded and smiled. I was happy to be affirmed. Last week, two middle school boys walked by, one with his hand on the other's shoulder. It took awhile before I realized he had a white cane and was being guided by the other as they chatted. There are a pair of sandals which have a large blossom imprinted on the sole and a smaller one on the heel. They are almost always indented in the dust on my journey and I smile as I walk parallel to them. Someone special has traveled the same path before me.