where they grow sweet rice
where the climate is always hot and beautiful
where the young and old go to the temple and chant and
bring special homemade food for the monks
where they celebrate New Year’s in April with
fireworks, music, and fantastic food
where there will always be friendly faces with happy smiles
By Jonathan, age 10
[photos of Laos by Vipula Samarakoon (on flickr, mintimage) all rights reserved]