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Originally Posted by Killing Me Softly 101
I lived there for a year over a decade ago.
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As I said, the information I had was dated.
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Originally Posted by pawthoo
Killing me softly, your memories would be jolted should you come back to Vientiane.
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Strangely no desire. I enjoy Issan much more. Not fond of the little commie b*stards to the north. They were a pill in the past. But since I taught embassy staff's students, was pretty immune. Still they made life difficult. Like not giving us exit visas for 11 weeks after arriving. Waiting until the day our visas expired before renewing them and then only with a couple of Ambassadors threatening to withdraw Aid money to the government. Asking me for the names of all Lao people who came to my house so they could "talk" to them etc. I am sure the talking would have involve procedures not normally associated with debate or discussion.
They threw the staff of a missionary group, whose students were in our school, into jail for a bible study group. These people had chosen to go to the meetings. No cohesion. Expat staff was held several weeks then deported never to return. Local staff members like the van driver recieved sentences of 3-5 years each. I am not religious but this group sponsored things like dentist visits to remote villages. They also had revival group meetings in local languages. I have no problem with that but the communists did.
The Japanese did a lot of work developing, they put in the water supply system with chlorination for Vientiane for example. They also decided to build the Satellite up link to the world for the telecommunications network. The CPLao PDR turned around and sold it to a giant Thai Corp.
Where did the money go? One guess.
When the Japanese protested. They unsold it and then gave a giant Thai corp a 99 year lease on the Sat up link. Same price.
During the 20 celebration of the fall of Vientiane in 1995, Fidel Castro was staying at the Cuban Embassy 5 doors away from my house. I speak Spanish. I had been to the Embassy twice. Talked with the ambassador. Would have enjoyed having dinner with Castro. But did not even know he was in the country. No news. None. Just some commie government propaganda sheet once a week. Vientiane Times. I did wonder why there was a sudden presence of about 4 armed Lao soldiers with AK 47s and grenade belts. But was not really too unusual.
Driving around at night you often had military checkpoints for complete check of car. Once they saw you were a foreigner no problem. In fact the guards were often shaking. (Obviously, as an expat with a giant book of papers in my Glove box from many agencies, if the guard did something wrong it would be an international incident. Never had to pay any on the spot fines at least.
I was going to buy a car from a deputy minister. It was a Communist era VW. We agreed to a sum of $2300. The deal was supposed to occur the next day. 8 days later the DM walks into where I work. He wants to renegotiate the price.
I say, "Sir, I am an honorable man. In my country when to honorable men meet, make an agreement, and shake hands we do not renegotiate." I go up walked out of the room and did not return. By the way he had to get permission to by a Lada from some government agency.
So no. Never return.
Been there done that. And at a much more interesting time. Before backpackers discovered it.
PS. Someone wrote me about teaching in Primary Grades. This is at the International school.
I copied it and present it here also.
You should be single or have a teaching spouse. 0, 1 or 2 children.
You should have 2 or more years teaching your state or national curriculum;
2 or more years experience at the grade level you apply for;
and 2 or more years abroad teaching preferably some in Asia.
The Celta will not be important. The DELTA might be if you also hold the BA in Education and the Appropriate UK credentials.
The MA TESOL is the recommended ESL qualification or additional state certification.
Business experience is not important except to fill in gaps in your resume between college and school placements.
Perhaps work at the adult Australian language program would be more suitable. But it is also quite competitive. (MA TESOL preferred).
I have no knowledge of schools but since the average daily wage is about $1-2 per day per person, I doubt that you would make enough to live a reasonable lifestyle, or even afford to pay you flight home.
There are sometimes contracts available with businesses (SHIN Corp. was doing ESL teaching with its staff when I lived there.)
I do defer to the poster above as they have much more current experience and contacts.
I did enjoy my time there, It was a wonderful place to work. The expats were mostly from diplomatic staff and NGOs with a few MKs (missionary kids) and were a fun group. It was a great place to raise a family at that time. The kids at the school were great.
When I lived there it was quite cheap as there was little to buy. I believe they now have supermarkets and shopping centers, When I lived there, the Morning Market and the night market were it. There was a Swedish bakery, and Italian Restaurant, a pizza place, and Indian Place. The local version of KFC Uncle???? started that year. No cable. No English Radio. No internet.
Only car available new was the Chinese version of the Fiat 1000 a four wheel drive version called a Panda. $16000 no thank you. Unless of course you were a diplomat.
They did have cheap Russian vodka and reasonably priced French wines.
