Mardi Gras Party
One of the choir members invited all of us to a Mardi Gras party hosted by one of the parents from the Vientiane International School.
Fat Tuesday
I actually knew the host because he’s currently serving as one of the U.S. Foreign Service Officers to Laos. His name is Greg, and I met him at orientation. He’s really nice. (We had our baci ceremony at his house.) It was generous of him to host such a nice party.
Everyone parked at a large local wat because there wasn’t enough parking on the street in front of the house. The monks made a special arrangement with the host to keep the gates open. The host also hired touktouks to take everyone to the house host venue. Before the party, there was a pre-party celebration with cookies, snacks, beads, and paper crowns. There was face painting, balloon animals, and clowns there too. After a while, we all walked down a long street as a sort of parade to Greg’s house. A lot of Lao people came outside and waved hello to us as we walked down the street.
Courtesy of Guerra, C. (2024)
This sugar cookie might not be exciting to you because you’re in the U.S. or the West somewhere where sugar cookies abound, but this was terribly exciting for me. I hadn’t had a sugar cookie since I left in August.
There was a live band and singer, a food truck, and a bar at Greg’s house. I hung out with several people who work for the U.S. Department of State and with my choir members.
Courtesy of Guerra, C. (2024)
There was some dancing at the party, but mostly it was just a fun opportunity to spend time with my fellow choir members.
Courtesy of Guerra, C. (2024)
I also saw a sleeping frog, which I’ve never seen before in the wild.
Courtesy of Guerra, C. (2024)
It was a nice celebration, and I’m glad that I was invited.