Have been so excited to come back to Laos and continue doing interactive science experiments that its a little strange to actually be here. Staying up till 3 am to say goodbye to new Japanese friends in Bangkok doesn't help, nor does going from the icebox of the airplane cabin to the sweltering heat of a tuk tuk. But hey, I'm here.
So I'm back with the plan to stay for a couple months doing interactive science and making arrangements to come back next year.
Dolma invited Sandie and I over to make real momos at her house. Little blighters aren't as easy to make as you think. A simple flour and water mixture gets rolled into millimeter thick patties by the mother. The meat filling is already prepared and consists of minced meat, onions, cilantro and spices - quite fragrant even raw. A small dab in the middle and folding class begins. After we had made a couple hundred they got steamed and we had a feast! Delicious!
An enjoyable afternoon talking and making momos and doing laps around Bouddanath.
Such simple pleasures filled the day: Talking with Dolma and her brother while making our own tsampa for breakfast. Tsampa is a traditional Tibetan food made from buckwheat flour, butter, and butter tea - a doughy version of cream of wheat. Doing laps around Bouddanath in the energy of OM MANI PADME HUM and the smell of fresh ground incense burning strong.
Spray paint on a brick wall reads "Stop killing in Tibet" and I am instantly brought back to the reality of the Tibetan people who live as refugees with limited rights and yet continue to be most hospitable people.
Thank you for a wonderful afternoon Dolma.
Dinner at Bajeko Sekuwa, serving a variety of smoked meats. Yum! Must have been wine colored shirt day, not sure why we were all wearing the same color that night...
It was so good, I went back a few nights later with Raj and Sebena. 
Unfortunately, Sandie was super sick and couldn't join us. Fortunately, there was jolly Shandy on hand to make a toast in her absence!
Thanks Sabena (the witch) for two great evenings of sekuwa!
Trekking friends get together for an evening of tofu burritos at Ruth's rooftop cafe. After shopping in the dark at the local grocery store for ingredients we convened for cooking duties. Sandie directed activities. Ruth made beans in the pressure cooker. Ruchi made chapati. I just hung around and drank wine.
What a lovely evening with a couple of new friends from the UK. 
Yes Ruchi, the chapati queen, can actually cook!
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