Laos

Had a great visit with the Spragues. They have after much searching been able to find a house to rent which will make life a lot easier and cheaper. Their maid has worked for an English speaking family before and Rosanna and her are slowly starting to understand each other. She is able to buy food at normal prices instead of inflated prices that they usually give to westerners. Most of their grocery shopping etc is done in Udon Thani in Northern Thailand. The children all seem to be adapting quite well. They have quite a large home with plenty of room inside and good air conditioners. There is also a side yard for the kids to play in. They are in need of a car. Laurie rides a push bike to work which is fine but Rosanna and the children have to take tuk tuks where ever they go. This is expensive and can be quite harrowing (holding onto the 2 younger ones and getting the pram in and negotiating a price and hoping they understand where you want to go). If they can sell their car which they have left with their Mum in Australia they will be able to afford one but haven't been able to find a buyer.
There is also need for a teacher (preferably high school) to organise and develop the education program for about 40 home schooled western kids. It costs between $1800 & $8000 per child to send them to school and most families do not have that. Anyone interested let me know. Rosanna said that even if they could get one for 6 months to set it all up that would be a big help. (If you've got a family she even has a house picked out for you across the street from them). They really appreciated all the messages from home and seeing familiar faces. Lauries Mum arrives next week for a few weeks so that will be good.
Laos itself - quite hot, humid and dirty. People very friendly and reasonable amount of people have basic English. Riding in tuk tuks was definitely an experience. There does not seem to be any real road rules. Push bikes, motor bikes, tuk tuks, cars and trucks all sharing the same streets riding in which ever direction they like and can find a path through. Next to no one wears helmets. We saw a motorbike accident where one lady was killed and the other seriously injured (neither wearing helmets) Coral and Frank saw one 2). Plenty of places to eat at good prices. $4 for steak, chips, salad, bread.