Dear All

Well its Tuesday night here and its nice and cool in the internet cafe here in Luang Pabang. We have just done the night market and Peter has gone for a beer with Lisa while Phil and I are on line. It has been hotter here today than I have ever experienced before. Upper 30s I am guessing. Anyway the sweat pours off you from the moment you are outside. the only relief was this afternoon when we went swimming at the waterfalls. The water was bit cloudy but cool and refreshing.

This is the old capital of Laos. The monachy was deposed in 1975 and the capital is now Vientiane where we are going next by road. If they are unmade up dirt tracks like the ones we were on today we will be shaken to bits and it will take hours. We spend one night en route and there is a school for hill tribe children there so Stepan has told me that will be the best place to leave the bits and pieces I brought here that I got in Tescos before we left.

Stepan is our Lao leader. He is 27 and spent the majority of his life (age 10 to 22) as a novice in one of the local temples. He is now married. We met his wife at the market this morning where she has a clothes stall. He also has a young son of 2 years. They will grab a lift with us in the minibus to the capital in 2 days time. If you want an education you become a novice. Buddhism is a way of life here and he has been able to tell us a lot about it, but I have not understood it all as his English leaves me guessing at times.

Off to eat now. The food is very good here. We are both well and enjoying ourselves.

Lots of love

Ruth Norris