Stick Rite for all

There’s no doubt about it, Laotians love their “stick rite”

They consume more sticky rice than anyone in the world! Many people subsist on it- and on not that much more. They work hard for their modest harvest, and still need to work inventive side-businesses just to make ends (barely) meet: That’d be the lady in the flowered apron selling early morning donuts, or the gent hawking warm soy milk from a small coal heated barrel fixed to the back of his bicycle.
The relaxed pace we so enjoyed in Laos cannot mask the fact that for many Laotians, life is a day to day struggle. In some areas, child malnutrition is the rule, education unaffordable and the risk of alcoholism high. On a larger scale, the country’s resources are being sold off in a big way. Who knows how the influx of Chinese and Vietnamese, and their dams, railways, mines and other super-size endeavors will affect the lives and livelihood of the people here…
Fast-changing
   

whimsical

beautiful Laos

Thanks for the generous friendliness, in spite of everything. It means a lot to us.

Here are M. and Dong, 24/7 man for all seasons, at Pakse Royen Hotel, and one of the hearts he folded for us out of Thai 100 baht bills. (This is a collage folks, so no, Thailand doesn’t have giant banknotes)

Stick rite also comes in- sticks!

Even trees get a serving, that’s Laos in a rice grain…. what’s not to love?!