Boh Pennyang (don't worry or no worries)

Boh pennyang is the phrase that basically sums up the laidback Lao lifestyle.

Another great week of work and fun in Laos! I got an aromatherapy massage (much gentler than Lao/Thai massage) at Tangerine, a really nice, relaxing spa that is offering half-off all services, making it very cheap. I got to try some more food with my coworkers at lunch. I had a great red coconut curry at Amphone. I did some more shopping at Talat Sao and at the night market.  I tried Mexican food in Vientiane at Ban Gai with the Fulbright English Teaching Assistants. It wasn't bad for Tex Mex in Laos.

Friday was the Young Diplomats reception, which Emily and I planned and helped set up. It is for the less experienced, lower level diplomats to mingle and connect with one another. We had it at a Bruniean diplomat's house, which was huge and lovely. Emily and I set up tables with centerpieces, and the event was catered. It ended up being a success, with about 30 people attending. It was a long day though!

Yesterday, I missed breakfast at the hotel so I got a big French brunch at the cafe Le Banneton. I did some more shopping, and then I got a coffee and tartine (baguette with melted cheese and ham, mmm) at my favorite cafe Pricco. I also went to the National Museum, which was certainly interesting. Lots of pictures labeled like the ones below:

I met up with Melia, the Fulbright researcher and intern from last year at the park by the Mekong river. Some locals and foreigners play a game called Spike Ball. I had never heard of it but attempted to play. It's fun and doesn't require one to be too sporty.

I did a Happy Hour at Samsek Pakpasek, which is a cool restaurant/bar overlooking the river that has live music (see pic below). 

Today I met up with Melia at a hidden gem in Vientiane, which is down a random street away from downtown, called Kung's Cafe. I had sticky rice mango pancakes, which was delicious (sep lai!), and a blended coconut coffee, which was like a Coconut Starbucks frappucino (except cheap). We walked around a temple. On our way to Khou Din, a market, we watched some guys play a game that looked very similar to bocce ball on the street. Khou Din is much less foreigner friendly/touristy and much crazier than other markets, but has basically everything from clothes, to food, to household goods. 

The rest of the day, I plan to relax and probably get another massage or spa service before I begin my second to last week here!