The water is my friend
I can’t swim anymore. I don’t know how you can forget how to swim. But when I was a little kid in Laos I just knew how to swim since we were living along the Tad Luang canal and close to the dam. I can remember doing a dare with friends to see who can swim closest to the gate of the dam. Then later we moved to a house near a bung and I had to swim to pick up vegetables to feed my pigs. When we came to the US and I had to attend summer camp I also took swimming lesson and was in the water all summer. Then I had an accident and almost drown. After that my mother didn’t let me go near the water. Now I can only float on my back.
Looking at these kids working and playing in the water in Pakse made me think of my time as a kid in Laos. They have no fear of water because water is part of their life. The Mekong nourishes them and is their best friend. I wouldn’t mind living a simple life in Laos, next to the Mekong or Nam Song in Vang Vieng. I can build a book store and a library with a nice garden for the kids to play and read their books. That would be such a romantic life, out of a novel. Of course I still want to have my internet connection and hi speed by the way. 
I love living near the water, but I’m about 5 hours drive here from the ocean. I always dream to own a little restaurant or bookstore with small coffee shop, that would be so nice, and if I don’t have any customer, I could sit and read all day, high speed internet connection would be nice also, that way I can blog.
Funny how you and I are somewhat on the same wavelength. I love light houses and at one point in time wanted to build one in Laos by a river. It would be a light house but a book shop/reading place and with a nice garden and of course would serve coffee and tea and cookies and cakes since I love to bake more than cooking.
Since we’ve been working with promoting reading in Laos, my dream has changed a little. Maybe someday we will be able to pursue this dream in Laos and have a cafe with high speed internet in the next room.
Almost drawn twice. One time save by my brother and other by my friend. Now I swim like fish. I have no problem with pool just lake and river.
I like the simple life too. Hanging out by the river sounds like a perfect day to me. In America, most people pass their time shopping (spending) too much and accumulating more junk (debt)…. and then you die. :)
I think Darly’s idea of the cafe/bookstore/garden is wonderful. You can also add some yummy European pastery too.
[...] a quote from Darly’s comment, “Funny how you and I are somewhat on the same wavelength. I love light houses and at one [...]