Cambodian children

It took me some time to write again. After leaving Laos, I lived in my memories and refused to see the reality. But the reality started to knock on my door so intensively, that here I am in Cambodia.
It has been a couple of days that I have been volunteering in one orphanage. To tell the truth, I lost my battle.
Yes, I lost it in three days. Not more, not less.

There I felt like one of many. Without a face. Without a colour. Like a clear ghost which appears and disappears without being noticed.

And there I was just one of many who comes and leaves. The Zoo. Accommodated not with tigers, not with lions. No elephants or monkeys. Only people. Though kept not in cages, but in their destiny.

And when you ask their names, these little prisoners of destiny do not look at you while answering. They know it very well - in a week or two this ghost will be gone.

So here I am. I lost my battle and I leave.

With a feeling of quilt for taking part in the Zoo's creation.

Laos PDR or Please don't rush

When one crosses Laos border, he or she can see a big sign welcoming to Laos People Democratic Republic.
At the same moment one enters Laos time zone, where 5 minutes extends to a half an hour. Where today is tomorrow and tomorrow might not come as planned. Actually there is no plan for tomorrow. I wonder why they even keep the word for it?

Your bus never leaves on time or it might not leave at all. No complain is worth to make. There is no time here.

In this timeless zone you work every day building a house, planting rice, gardening or running a restaurant.  Since you can remember yourself. And you sing while working. Dirty hands and clear mind. Without any thoughts to become an officer or to work in the parliament. Or in an embassy in Jamaica.

Well, my Friend, you are lucky to be born and raised in Laos, where ones mental health and inner happiness is more important than any education or a career.

No need to drive the newest Mercedes. Or to become a successful businessman first year after your graduation. Or to go to Jamaica.

The place where you are is the best place. Because you are there.

And remember, the cure for unhappiness is happiness whatever the others might say.

In the Jungle?

Before  I entered Laos, I had a very different picture of this country in my head.
Undiscovered. Wast and secret. Jungle. Full of dangers and warm people. Who are still pure and smiling.
And yes, my Friend, they do smile every time they overcharge me at the market.

I do smile as well. Every time I realize how wrong my picture was.
I expected to be one of the first explorers in this secret jungle. Like a pioneer. Or a monk in a pagan country.
I will be honest, I felt challenged by the Mother Nature. By jungle. Wild animals. Snakes and tigers. Indeed, very dramatic.

However, it feels slightly different when I sit in the restaurant in a Lao town surrounded by hundred of teenagers prepared to take the same challenge. Same motivated and brave. Just a bit more relaxed... with a bottle of beer. Or two.

And then I start thinking: are we all pioneers or Laos is not a jungle any longer?

I would like to believe this is the first case (the West is taking the challenge), but most likely I am wrong...