Universal Style of Builders

Is a well exposed bum crack the style of builders everywhere?

This fellow was working on the rendering of a new apartment block across from my front window and I just had to take a photo.

Photographers in Laos

iCat gallery presents exhibitions from local artists.  At the moment she has mounted  Kin Khao, a collaborative photography exhibition featuring two Vientiane based photographers.  The images are thematically arranged and capture life within and beyond the landscape and the interactions of people with the landscape in Laos. The photos also capture and convey the challenges currently facing the country. 

There were some wonderful market images by Mick Shippen.   (I love taking market photos -so they were very inspirational)

Tessa Bunney, an English photographer currently based in Laos, worked closely with ethnic communities to present some fascinating images.

Catherine O'Brien (in the photo) curates and organises the exhibitions in a lovely open gallery  space below her apartment.  Catherine teaches art at VIS and is from Australian, and of course because it is a small world is a good friend of the McIntyres from Stanley.

Visit their websites for further inspiration
www.tessabunney.co.uk
www.mickshippen.com.
https://www.facebook.com/icatgallery/

Cafe Vanille

A lazy Sunday morning this morning at Cafe Vanille.  I am happy to have found this place- baguettes, croissants, tarte citron, pain au raison and free wifi so I can read The Age online. The coffee is reasonable and there is a range of  breakfast options.

I love a parade

Beechworth does a very good parade - Easter, the Celtic Festival - colour and movement, drums and bagpipes and dogs and kids.
However it pales into insignificance compared to the Laos National Day parade which featured large military groups and representatives of ethnic minorities.
Beechworth Parades are along Camp Street and the public can line the road side.
I didn't get to see the Laos National Day Parade as it is at the Marching Grounds and only invitees can attend.

Lao National Day

Lao National Day today - marking 40 years of communism.  On this day in 1975 the Pathet Lao abolished the monarchy.

Good reason for a day off work!!!

A Modern Mall in Vientiane

Vientiane Central opened not long after I arrived here in August.   Yesterday was my first visit.  Dead as a door nail at 6 pm and it looks empty whenever I pass. The cars on the ground level are a Jag, a Rolls and a Bentley - just what you need on the dusty unpaved roads of Vientiane. Maybe if you can afford these cars you can also arrange to have the roads near your home sealed.

There was nothing the average Laos person - or foreign teacher could afford. There is a department store on the right with the usual cosmetic counters on the ground floor and fashion above.  Not only were there few people there were limited products on display as well.

Bags and balls

Bags and balls, slip on sandals and shoes - all that and more from one multi purpose shop in the market in Pakse.
Shop window is the December theme for the City Daily Photo community.
While there are no glass windows in the shops in Laos markets the image is a window into this shop.