Sabaydii,

 

Here is the continuation of a series ‘Coming home’ entitled ‘At the back of the restaurant’

 

Hakphaang,

 

 

Like any other days

I went to the ‘Pho[1]’ restaurant

To have a Pho soup

 

Today

With no exception

I planted myself there

With not much to do

I just took my time

Sipping my soup

And let my eyes wander

Around

 

 

Two gorgeous looking women

Dressed in traditional Lao dress

Sat eating their Pho soup

With pure relish

 

Telling you the truth

I just couldn’t believe my eyes

Seeing such beautiful creatures

Not one but two

In the depressed Lao land

 

Before I could pull out my camcorder

They were already done with their soup

And made their way out

 

With just a little luck

I caught a glimpse of them

With their backs to me

 

Like anything in Muang Lao

You got only a teaser

Of what it would be

Of what you could be

 

Then

Getting an urge to relieve myself

Having my bladder full

I went to the bathroom

 

With someone inside

I waited around

And caught sight of a girl

Busily doing the dishes

 

 

 

Surprised to see

The girl this young already working

I asked about her

 

Then slowly

A full picture came into view

 

Her family back in Pakse[2]

Was broke

This year harvest was bad

And there everyone had to save the family

 

Two of her brothers

Doing the errands in Pakse itself

While she herself came to Vientiane

For a better job

Her aunt said so

 

Alas this was the good job

For a girl coming so far

 

Don’t know

How many of her lives

Got replicated

In all over Muang Lao

 

As a testament to this sad event

I took her picture

And let the camcorder

Tell the ugly story

Of what it is

Of what to become

Of Muang Lao today…

 

8.27.03