The countdown begins: I have less than 24 hours before my new life in Laos begins.
What have I been doing to prepare? Let me give you the updates!
Marking off my “To Do” List
1) The first has been waiting anxiously for my work visa document, which was completed last week, attached to my email and has been printed out to show to the visa agent upon arrival.
2) Researching Vientiane city real estate on Youtube: Apartment/house rentals and tours
In China, apartments on campus with other teachers and staff were provided for me. I had no choice about accommodations, with the perks being no rent and all my electricity, Internet and water costs were covered.
After 30 years of never worrying about where I was staying as it was always assigned to me, I am now thrust into a situation where I get to house-hunt or apartment hunt on my own. And what a selection there is in the capfital city, Vientiane, where I’ll be living! I have already enjoyed Youtube videos of Laos real estate agents (English subtitles), touring clients through various fully furnished city homes, apartments and housing complexes. According to my colleagues, my budget can only go as high as $700 US per month. After that, I am required to cover the rest of the cost myself. To me, that sounds like quite a high amount considering China had rents as low as $200. However, I quickly found out Vientiane is pricey, with the lowest rent being $350 US per month, often a rather dingy place and one without electricity, water or Internet services covered. That was all extra.
I’ve also been told that going too cheap will compromise your safety. Burglaries and break-ins, especially for those of us who are considered the rich foreigners, is a problem. One Youtube video I saw had the resident setting up trip wires throughout his courtyard and keeping a big, mean-looking, noisy dog as a deterrent for unwanted folk coming onto his property, especially late at night.
With all of this in mind, I have agreed upon a temporary 1-month, 1-bedroom furnished apartment rental for December at a price of $450 US, Internet provided and laundry service as well as gated security. I was told the complex is near the Sunbeam Vocational and Language Center so I won’t have to go far to get to my new work place. If I had not chosen a rented apartment, I would be staying in a hotel ($50 – 75 per night) until I could find a more permanent place to stay. The immediate apartment rental will obviously save money and give me time to rest, adjust and search out the perfect place for my next 3 years in Laos.
Curious as to what that apartment looks like? Here are the pictures sent by Angie. Quite a swanky dwelling, wouldn’t you say?
3) Enjoying Smalltown Christmas Festivities with My Mom
Saturday, December 3, had my small town in Marshall, Illinois, celebrating Holly Days. This year featured numerous live nativity scenes around the courthouse lawn. Different churches hosted snapshots of Bethlehem which were displayed in individual booths.
To serenade the spectators, different church choirs were given 30-minute time slots to fill. We dressed as angels. Here is Marshall First.
4) Holly Day’s Evening Light Parade
As darkness fell, we town folk gathered for a 20-minute light show parade. Bridget, rescue dog from China, came with us as well.
(See Part 2)
connie's space 
It will be interesting to learn if your new community is as interested in American traditions as our Chinese students were. Will be of interest to learn about pricing and if street food is safe and inexpensive and what are the most common ones.
Glad you and Don got to have coffee and conversation.
What time do you take off and what airline…just curious.
Hugs…sleep well tonight!