Western influences

During my recent trip to Bangkok, I was amazed by the Western influence in this city. I spent quite a bit of time studying in a shopping mall where Ronald McDonald greeted visitors with a wai (Asian respectful greeting) and this Christmas display from Starbucks lured visitors inside. Then I went to one of the many large shopping malls where Christmas lights were glowing and Christmas music was playing and throngs of people ate at McDonalds, Sizzler and Burger King. It was before Thanksgiving in America, but since Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Thailand, the"not before Thanksgiving" rule doesn't apply. I was thinking of the irony of listening to songs about snow and the birth of Christ in a tropical, Buddhist country. Then I thought just how sad it was that Christmas is so secularized. It is even celebrated with gift giving in the Communist country with significant Buddhist influence where I currently live. When I commented to my housemates about how strange it seemed, I was told "Christine, Christmas is a secular holiday." Huh? Maybe that is what the world has made it, but it is not a secular holiday. So, I am getting ready to start my Christmas music and I will strive to remember the reason for the season.

Traditional Lao-style house???

Minister of Health for the Lao PDR, H.E. Dr Ponmek Dalaloy addresses
those in attendance of the opening of the new WHO office

As the Health Frontiers Field Representative, I was recently invited to the Open House for the new WHO office in Vientiane. Leila and I rode our bicycles to the event and were hastily directed to the back of the building so that there was room for the shiny SUVs of the other NGOS and the black, sedans of the diplomatic corps. During the ceremony, the director of the WHO in Laos welcomed us to their new "traditional Lao house." Huh? Has he looked at the building? Traditional Lao-style houses do not have Roman columns and grand curved wooden staircases. They don't even have running water or electricity. The new WHO office looks more like a southern mansion, or the White House. There is a lot of money to be made in development. This event just served to help me appreciate the volunteer, low-budget mission of Health Frontiers. I rode my bicycle away with pride.

An historic day

Regardless of one's political leanings, it is difficult to deny that Tuesday, November 4 was a historic day in American history. For me, it was actually Wednesday, November 5 around noon as I sat with a room full of Americans in a far away land and watched the acceptance speech of America's first black president-elect. To be living in a country that is the most bombed in history and that is still suffering terrible effects from the unexploded ordinances left behind by my own nation, causes one to question the unabashed patriotism that used to be prevalent in America. America went from a partner to an enemy in this country where I reside based on fears of socialist ideaology and hatred. As was explained to our group by the US Embassador in a meeting yesterday, the US continues to slowly work to regain trust and partnership in this region. The terrible deeds and enduring consequences of the situation in SE Asia, remind me of slavery and the long-lasting consequenses it has had in America, among its own people. With this election, the US is making further strides to regain partnership and trust with its own people. While you may not agree with President-elect Obama's opinion on certain high profile and highly polarizing issues (I don't agree with all of them either), the importance of this event in history is not lost on this Caucasian, Christian woman. Although, I no longer have naiive unquestioned faith in my country, I am proud to be an American and I hope the rest of the world will work toward restoring its partnerships with us.

Another fun bathroom

When we went to the National Rehabilitation Institute last week for the Colin Cotterill evening, Leila made sure to show me this sink. Apparently it used to wear a pasin (Lao-style skirt) but now it stands naked in all its glory.