Do geckos bite?

Well, apparently they do.

The tiny, itty-bitty ones that are present everywhere (in my home, in my office, in the classroom, climbing outer corridor walls) are darling little things, quite harmless and somewhat of a comfort. They get rid of all those pesky ants that swarm in drawers or on top of desks, not to mention the spiders or those annoying gnats.

But the big one that sandwiched itself between the outer screen in my office and the window was a monstrous size. I thought grabbing his tender lengthy body and depositing him into the bushes would be an easy task.

NOT!

He hissed. He dodged. He scampered.

And then he bit.

Ouch!

That was unpleasant. Left my thumb bloodied and sore for the rest of the day. Plus looks like I’ll have a scar as a reminder of yet another overseas’ lesson learned about being careful.

My Midnight Blue Honda Scoopy: I’m Registered!

It’s official.

My office manager, Khamxay, delivered my Scoopy to me yesterday with my motorbike license plate attached. After 3 1/2 months of waiting, my bike is officially registered with the Vientiane Laos vehicle department as being a legal member of the country’s transportation society.

How exciting!

Yet an interesting discovery ensued as Khamxay explained to me the intricacies of vehicle registration, namely that a majority of drivers here not only don’t have a driver’s license, their vehicles aren’t even registered.

No wonder I don’t always see license plates on the hundreds of motorbikes that speed alongside me.

On his first visit to the vehicle registration compound, my motorbike received an inspection for safety, after which a fee was requested for the license to be ordered. He paid a total of 210,000 Kip ( roughly $9 US) but was told if I wanted a lucky number, one I could choose myself, 3 million Kip ($136 US) was the price.

Khamxay slyly smiled at me afterwards, saying, “I’m so sorry I didn’t get you the lucky number. Did you want it?”

Not for $136 dollars, I don’t!

For a car license lucky numbers, the price was even higher: $2,000 – 3,000. Naturally, only the rich go for such a thing.

For those of us with lower incomes, guess we’ll just have to suffer with ill-fated numbers that profess bad omens and unfortunate happenings.

Thank you, Khamxay (seen below), for all the help in getting me not only a great motorbike but having the know-how not to get suckered into a $136 license (If I’d done it myself, I most likely would not have known I had a choice and been out a hundred-some bucks.)

Saying Goodbye: Our Young Volunteers, Modester and Afiju, Leaving Us

Our Global Mission Fellows, Modester (Malawi) and Afiju (Sierra Leone) have left us. Their 2 year service to the language Center as English teachers and working with Laos youth came to a close. For 6 weeks, the staff and I had been preparing their send-off gathering: What gifts to buy, what unique event to plan, what words to say.

Our most meaningful gift was a notebook for each which we all wrote in , including pictures and stories of our time with these amazing people.

We had a lovely Friday morning together before they left, telling personal stories and enjoying some laughs, as well as plenty of pictures. Then it was out for lunch. The same at church on Sunday, where the two were given many prayers and special blessings by congregation members. As you can see below, the staff and I made sure Modester and Afiju knew how very special they have been here in Laos.

Modester even made a special appearance in my junior high and primary school class.

My Personal Farewell to Modester

Modester and I have quite a strong relationships because we lived next to one another in my temporary apartment complex before I moved to a larger place. She was the first to greet me at the airport, take me shopping on the back of her motorbike, introduce me to the market sellers, show me where to exchange money, translate for me with the Laos apartment staff and just be a very good friend when I was frustrated or feeling low in my new surroundings. Her generous, giving spirit made me feel at home, supported and loved.

I invited her to my new home as my first guest so we could enjoy my garden area. I’ve been working on it for over a month. Despite the unbearable heat, we managed an hour of patio time with cookies, cakes and “women talk” before I had to release her to continue her packing.

I will certainly miss her but it is time for her to return to Malawi, to her fiancé and all her wedding plans, plus her continuing life as a person of great faith and a lot of love to give to others.

Have a great weekend, everyone! And wishing the best to Modester and Afiju, now safely back in their home countries, reunited with family and friends. God bless!