DNA

Its been a week of DNA in Grade 9 Science.  Notes on DNA, youtube clips on DNA, cut and paste DNA, DNA quiz and for homework DNA models.
The kids were very creative in the materials they used to make their models, Raphael recycled his sister jewelry, EJ, cut up playing cards, Monica used marshmellows, Gabby and Hong Luk used straws and my favourite was Yuma who made his from small origami paper balloons.

Mungilli Claypans II

Light on the  water amongst the reeds.

Tuesday Temple with a Rainbow

A bright rainbow over the local temple Wat Ammon, last week as a precursor to a thunderstorm.

Lotus seller by the Mekong

Flowers for offerings at temples being sold by the Mekong in downtown Vientiane. I love the lotus buds.

Water everywhere.

The Mekong is brimming to the banks at the moment and with all the rain the rice paddies are brimming with water too.

Full River

Due to the heavy and frequent rain the Mekong is full to its banks at the moment.

Mungilli Claypans 1

Its not Laos! It's the Gibson Desert.

I have been looking through the photos I took while on my trip through the desert and have decided to break up the next few weeks with images taken at Mungilli Claypans on the Gunbarrell Highway.

Tuesday Temple - Bling

Laos is a land of temples and of course I have many temple photos and continue to take temple photos, so be prepared for regular postings.

The bling on top of this temple stood out against the dark storm clouds on Sunday.

This is Nong Da temple on the road upstream along the Mekong to Ban Mai.

Business by Bike

Everyday life and business in  Vientiane provides a unique experience every day. Yesterday  I met this lady cycling with her shiny pots and pans, ready to sell them at any house or roadside restaurant.

Blooming Laos

Blooming Laos was a Photographic Exhibition on Saturday night at iCat gallery.  Three Korean photographers exhibited there work.  Some of the portraits were very good and captured the essence of life in Laos.

My friend and colleague Virginia is the Special Needs Co-ordinator in the elementary school, was also at the exhibition.

iCat gallery is operated by my friend (and Helen McIntyre's friend) Catherine O'Brien, and holds frequent exhibitions.

Grade Eleven

This year I will be Grade Level Leader (GLL) for Grade 11 - yes Mary the Leader!! Watch out Grade 11.  This is most of the Grade seated on the front court for the welcoming Baci ceremony on Monday morning.  My fellow Grade 11 advisors - Ricardo (standing) and David and Olivier sitting, are monitoring the large cohort - 27 in total.

Green and blue

The green of the rice paddies by the Mekong is vibrant and intense and a contrast to the blue skies filled with fluffy clouds during the rainy season.

On Sunday I went for a bike ride on tracks near here.  It was very warm (make that stinking hot!!).  I stopped for respite under the shady trees in a temple.  The young monks were intrigued and took pity on my, inviting me up to their sala for some cold water and to sit by the fan.  How wonderful!and kind! Good kharma.

Cage au Coq

A typical Laos "emporium" has everything for sale including these can chicken cages, brooms and other assorted goods.  I  have a plan to bring some of these baskets home to the Finch St garden!! What do you think?

Mrs Kung's Cafe

First stop on my first weekend back in Vientiane was Mrs Kung's cafe for some local ambience and sticky rice mango pancake and coconut coffee.  It is one of my favourite places.

Back on the Mekong

Back to Vientiane and back to the Mekong River.  Friday night I had a cool Beer Lao, with ice, at my favourite small riverside bar.