TEA PROJECT: The Lao National Teachers'day. 10/07/2015

Did you know teachers had their "Christmas day" in Laos? I didn't!

The 7th of October is actually the National Teachers' day in Laos. What does this entail? First of all it's like a holiday, that is to say the teachers have a day off. The day before, there is a short ceremony in the morning at school where students read a poem to the teachers, then give them flowers. And on top of that, students give gifts to their teachers. That's how I was unexpectedly covered with gifts this very morning by my students. How cute !!! They were so excited to see me unwrap the nice packages. I was spoiled. I really have to tell you what I got because it is worth telling. A Prévert list :

- washing powder.
- tooth paste and soaps
- crackers for appetizers
- a box of kit kat bars
- 3 sets of glasses
- a hair clip covered with diamonds an pearls
- a set of goodies (drinks, cookies)
-2 sets of bird saliva drinks (drinks made of solidified bird saliva used to build birds'nests, particularly prized due to their rarity, supposedly high nutritional value and exquisite flavor. I haven't tried yet, might be a little reluctant though)
- a piece of silk fabric
- two very good quality fake leather bags (brand name : Marie-Claire!)
- a selfie stick
- a 1000 bath bill (30 euros, a fortune overhere).

Cynical minds would say it is the National Teachers' Bribery day! Don't listen to them.