Be kind . . .

Penelope · Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:10 am Post subject:

Ralph, I used to send crayons and pens, pencils and books to my people in Laos. They used to call me Aunty Penny.

Unfortunately, one time I was told about some of the children suffering from Malaria and not being allowed any medication. Along with some of the older ones with aches and pains and no medicine. So I went around my office where I worked then and everyone donated some pills or medication, like Neurofen etc.....I put them in with the crayons and books but the authorities took all the medication out, must have X-rayed the parcel. My kids got the books and crayons though...but they could tell that the parcel had been tampered with. Anyway, our local post office thought it was very funny......labelled me the local drug-dealer!!!! Our post master had sent me back once because to alter the certificate of posting on the parcel because I had stated that it contained medication. I had changed that to just stationery........I often wondered what would have happened if I had left the original 'honest' declaration.

Keep writing your posts, it is amazing to hear from you.

ralphinlaos · Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:44 am Post subject:

Hi everyone -

I loved your map story, Ophelia. I am a great believer in maps and always have some stuck on the walls of my classrooms (the world, asia, Laos). I want for everyone to see just exactly where they are in relation to everyone else in the world. Many of my students have parents or relatives who have emigrated to America or Europe (especially France - the Laos/French connection goes back a long way - the older people here do not speak English but many speak French). And we in Laos will be forever indebted to the French for croissants and the wonderful French bread (I have some in the freezer right now, from a recent trip to Vientiane). So it's great to be able to show them where their parents are in California or Texas, or where their brother and sister are living in Paris. Fortunaterly. the National Geographic Society has a nice little map store in Vientiane - not too expensive either. When I get my own school, I'm going to invest in one of those big globes like they have in some libraries - on a wooden stand!

In the 70's, I taught English to Chinese Naval officers in Taipei, Taiwan. These were officers - young and old - who were on their way to study in the US but had to have a basic English language skill before they left. Anyway, one day we had a pretty dry discussion about the formation of the League of Nations/United Nations and when our time was nearly up, I asked if their were any questions. An officer raised his hand and I said, "Yes?" His question: "How much money does Elizabeth Taylor make for a movie?" That's what they really wanted to know!

Penelope - nice to hear from you again.

I've had similar experiences with post-offices here in Laos. In Vientiane, they opened all packages from anywhere - and charged me a small amount of kip (local currency) to receive them. Here in Thakhek, they just give them to me without opening - but still charge a small "receiving" fee.

My niece in Upper Michigan was ill, so I decided to send her some herbal remedies from Laos. Well, the herbs (barks and twigs and leaves) cost me only US$3; it cost me US$40 to send the box. And I mistakenly put "medicines" on the contents listing, so the package was opened by customs in the US and it took weeks for my niece to receive it. Another box labeled "clothing" reached her in five days (but it still cost far too much to mail). And their is no such thing as a special "book fee" here as there is in many parts of the world.

I've given many of my friends vitamins or simple medicines such as Tylenol or cough medicine. They always appreciate it, but I think they just take it home, put it on a shelf for display purposes, and go back to their weeds and herbs (which are probably more effective, anyway). And try and explain the difference between aspirin and vitamins - difficult!

Aunty Penny - that's lovely. How and through whom did you get a "Laos connection?" Did you send things to individuals, schools, embassies = how?

Malaria, as you probably know, is still a problem here. All too often, I ask of a sick little boy or girl, "What's the matter with him/her?" "Mosquito bit him." I always warn the kids to stay away from open pools of water or any places where mosquitos are plentiful - but you know kids, the very thing that harms them also attracts them. We have a malaria control center near my house here in Thakhek. I don't think the malaria problem is as huge as the drug problem, but malaria affects the innocents; not so with the drugs.

Well, that's enough of my long-windedness for today. Stay happy and healthy everyone.

Ralph

Penelope · Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:08 pm Post subject:

Ralph - I was a member of our local branch of Amnesty International and we were allocated our prisoner in Laos. He was in a jungle prison in Laos with his wife and six children. He sent me their photograph once. He was member of the Hmong tribe from the mountains. I think it was Hmong. Anyway they used to celebrate their New Year by killing a piglet and roasting it. I was made an honorary member of the Hmong tribe, from whence Gengis Khan came, so I was informed.

In that prison was Patrick, who spoke fluently, seven languages, so when we wrote to Tong (our prisoner) Patrick would translate and write the letters back to me on behalf of Tong. Patrick, was Governor of Vientien Province when the Communists took power and sent him to prison. His family were in Paris....but he had lost touch with them completely.

Tong was a taciturn man but lovely. Patrick was a real character and used to write poetry and make up Jokes!!! He wrote a poem for my daughter's wedding in 1992. It was read out at the reception and everyone was quite bemused.

Anyway, they set up a school between them for the children in the prison and that as how I came to send them pencils and exercise books etc. I just used to post them and they always got there. I used to send warm clothing for the children because it used to get very cold in the winter. Tong, being from the mountains was used to the cold but found it hard to cope with the Jungle temperatures.

I would be happy to send pencils and stuff for your school if you think it would help. If I just send a box or two of pencils and some books at once, I don't find the postage too expensive. I could send a parcel every few weeks - and put a John Grisham or two in for you if you like.

ralphinlaos · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:57 am Post subject:

Penelope, you are very generous; thank you so much for offering to help. Right now, we are o.k. with everything. In Laos, as in many places in the world, if something is free it is thought to be inferior to something which costs actual money. So, I have to charge each of my students a pittance or they won't attend regularly and their parents will send them somewhere else where they do pay a fee. So, my students all (I have about 45 right now) pay 30,000 kip per month (that's about US$3). Then I have enought to buy pencils and tablets and chalk and an occasional book or map - so the only additional expense to the student is for his study book, which he can go and purchase in the local market. Occasionally, I get someonw who can't pay the $3, so I let them come and study anyway - and I can always use someone to clean the toilets or the classroom. So, right now we have what we need

But, when I get my own school, I'll sure let you know. I'm pretty careful about what I teach here and try to keep my "everyone should be free to pursue his or her dreams" to myself as much as possible. So we can talk all we want about reading and spelling and writing and geography and some history - but I seldom venture into politics or religion unless it's on a one-to-one basis with someone I know. And math; they teach it much differently than we in the west, so I don't get into math at all.

The medicine I bought and sent my niece was from the Hmong tribe - they are the medicine-men of Laos; lots of them here and around Thakhek. I went to a new restaurant lately and the young waiter said that his name was Jahng (phonetically!) and one of my Laos friends said he was Hmong - that his was an Hmong name. I asked the waiter and he said that he was, indeed, Hmong - how did I know that?

That's the first time I've heard of a Hmong/Genghis Khan connection; I'll have to check that out.

I forget - are you now working in a bookstore? I think you said you had access to lots of books, didn't you?

Someone said that there is a place on the internet where they have free books. Wouldn't that be wonderful? I can always afford postage; it's really a question of finding the books themselves.

Thanks again, Penelope.

Have you ever seen "Chinese School" on BBC World? It's a terrific series - I don't know how old it is - and if you get a chance, take a look. One look and you'll be hooked.

Ralph

Penelope · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:43 am Post subject:

I can understand your students wishing to pay something for their education. Many Oriental people have this aversion to feeling obligated don't they? In fact, it is an admirable trait in some ways.

I used to have my own antiquarian book business....not terribly successful financially, but a lovely way of life. A couple of years ago, I sold all my stock to a fellow-bookdealer and he employs me two days a week at his great big barn of a store. It is wonderful and we have a stock of over 100,000 titles. You can find us and most other bookdealers in the world on abebooks.com. Our store is called Cheshire Book Centre.

Chris will be telling me off for advertising if I'm not careful! Laughing

I also describe books (on my home computer), onto a database for uploading onto the Internet for my boss, which is why I often take a coffee-break, and look in here on Booktalk. It is the best water-cooler conversation ever!!!!

Looking forward to your next post.....it is so interesting to hear from you.

ralphinlaos · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:04 am Post subject:

Hi Penelope -

Have you ever seen 84 Charing Cross Road - the movie or the play? It's really terrific - lots ot talk about books and the US/England connection during WW!!. I loved the movie - Anne Bancroft and Tony Hopkins and some lovely English actors. I think it was 84, wasn't it? Maybe 88?

Also, Shirley Valentine is a wonderful play and movie - great dialogue and performances.

I'd love to work in a "great big barn of a bookstore." I've always wanted to own and operate a bookstore, but have never lived in an area which would support one (excepet for New York City, and I had other interests at that time). Someday . . .

I'm going to look up Cheshie Book Centre on-line and see what you are doing - and I still have to read your blog (I keep forgetting - until I log off, of course).

Have you read anything really good lately? I've read about six books this past month, and none of them were anything to write home about. Hopefully, something in my "to read" file will be "unable to put down," as they say in far too many bad reviews.

What's your favorite reading topics? Fiction or non-fiction? Who are your favorite living authors? Favorite dead ones?

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Ralph

Penelope · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:40 am Post subject:

Hi Ralph

It is 84 Charing Cross Road - I have read the book and seen the film twice and loved them both. I enjoyed the book slightly more as I like the little bits of humour which weren't in the film.

I also liked Shirley Valentine.....but my favourite film is 'Educating Rita' by Willie Russell.

My husband and our friends Derek and John, and I often go to the the Theatre in Manchester - The Lowry, and we recently saw 'The History Boys' by Alan Bennet. Alan Bennet is definitely one of my favourite writers, in fact he is one of my favourite people.

We also saw a new production of 'Hobson's Choice' last season which was brilliant. We also enjoyed an Indian Dance troop perform 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' with lots of dancing and in four languages. That was so colourful and memorable. My very favourite production was 'The Magic Flute' Mozart's Opera. I was on a high for days after seeing that.

Some of my favourite books.....well I have read almost all of Amy Tan's novels. I like Isabelle Allende - especially 'House of Spirits' and 'Portrait in Sepia' - they are about Chile, and she being the daughter of the President Allende - they are well researched.

Of course, these will probably not be your cup of tea because they are all about women and by women. I like to read about womens' bravery and resilience in dire circumstances.

Memoirs of a Geisha is also one of my favourite books although that, unbelievably, was written by a man.

I don't read much in the way of non-fiction. I like history, but much prefer to read well-researched historical fiction as then I am more likely to remember the names and dates.

I can't get on with John Grisham I'm afraid, but he certainly is very popular and his books do make good films. I find the same with Jane Austen - can't stand the books but love them made into films and plays.

I do like the travel writer Patrick Leigh Fermor - A Time of Gifts - is a superb book about his travels as a student in Crete.

I think my tip-top favourite is 'A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Gallaxy' a trilogy in five parts!!!! They are the only books I have read more than once. I have liked all Douglas Adams' books.

My blog is very boring.....I can never think of anything to rant about.....I need the stimulation of the people on Booktalk to get me going. I'm not really a natural ranter.... Laughing

I keep thinking about you and your students, especially that elderly gentleman who cycles all that way each evening to your classes. I have told many people about him......he might be encouraged to know that.

By-the-way, the books you will see listed by us on abe and on our website are only the ones on the internet database. We have several thousand others - modern paperback fiction etc....in the store just for browsing.

Look forward to hearing more about your students.

Best Wishes
Penny

JTrunner · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:16 am Post subject:

Hello everyone, I'm Jean, or you could call me JT. Stumbled upon Booktalk when I Googled "reading groups", and it has been a fantastic discovery! Browsed through the forums and was glad to find some insightful comments and discussions, and its always great to have perspectives from all over the world!

I know I should post on the Intro Forum for my first post, but I wanted to link up to Ralph's emails, so I'm gonna reply and intro in the same email! Very Happy

I'm a Singaporean citizen (island state south of the West Malaysia peninsula), and have lived here all my life. I'm currently on a break before starting a new job in 2 weeks, and wanted to take up reading some good books again, a long relinquished hobby since starting my last job. English is not my native language, in fact, most of you probably would not understand a word I speak/write before I turned 10. But my Dad/brother directed me to Joe Dever's Lone Wolf gamebooks (remember those?!), and from there I started reading fantasy/sci-fi novels, before moving on to other genres. Reading literally "opened" the world to me, and gave me a way to discover new perspectives/information independantly. God bless my English Literature teachers! Sadly, I neglected this hobby when the rat race took over, but hopefully this time it won't be left behind!

Ralph, I agree with you about most Asians (well, Singaporeans anyway, I've lived here all my life) not reading much, or if anything, most read the current fashion mags/thrillers/romance etc. Talk about instant gratification - video games, Internet, clubs and bars, new houses and fast cars... I guess most modern Asians living in the cities have more than enough to be distracted with, not to mention the typical 60hr or more work week for the corporate types. I was fascinated by your account of teaching in Laos, and I think it's really great that you're spending time teaching in Laos (and previously Taiwan?). I spent about 2 weeks in the Philippines about 6-7 tears ago, and helped out at an orphanage/children's school. The eagerness of the children to learn really amazed me. They were constantly reminded that education is the key out of poverty, and the best thing about that place was that many kids who left at adulthood came back to help financially or on the weekends. Beyond the potential material gains though, the children really loved to learn new things within or outside of the classroom.

Your account also reminded me about John Woods, that ex-Microsoft guy who's going around building schools in Asia, and I recently flipped through a book "3 Cups of Tea", about another person building schools in Afghanistan. There are a number of Asian organisations building schools in China and India as well (may not be covered in western media), in an attempt to bring these countries (typically the rural areas which are a lot less well off) out of poverty. I'm not familar with South-East Asia other than Malaysia/Singapore/Indonesia though, so I was excited to read your comments. Do share more about your experiences!

regards,
Jean (JT)

Ophelia · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:53 am Post subject:

Hello Jean, and welcome to Booktalk! Smile

I'm always happy to welcome new members, and it's particularly encouraging when someone writes that they have had a look at our forums, and liked what they saw.

Also, one of my pet ideas is to attract people from all parts of the globe, especially places where no one seems to know about us so far. And finally, my personal credo is that there must be a number of people all over the world whose mother tongue is not English but who are fascinated by English and books written in this language-- if only they could hear about us.

I know that there are people like this in Europe for example, but I have no idea how to reach them. Advertising is Chris's department, and anyway most people seem to find us simply by doing what you did, googling something like "reading group". This is what I did.

What you write about Asia is of course very interesting to me, and we'll all be very pleased to hear what you can tell us about Singapore.

As for our books, I understand from what you wrote that you are interested in fiction... All three titles with the book pictures are still open for discussion, and our current selection is "No Country For Old Men", by Cormac McCarthy. The discussion only started a short while ago.
Would you like to join us?
I look forward to discussing books with you.

ralphinlaos · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 2:05 am Post subject:

Hi Jean - my neighbor!

I've only been to Singapore when changing planes at the airport, so have never seen the country. However, living in Asia, Singapore is always held up to Asians as an example of what can be achieved with the right leadership/government. Have you ever read any of Somerset Maugham? He's one of my favorite authors and, I really do believe, one of the reasons I am in Asia today. Read some of his short stories (preferably while drinking a Singapore Sling on the veranda at Raffles on a Sunday afternoon - I bet that would be an expensive afternoon).

Welcome! What is your new job going to be?

And Penelope -

Willie Russell didn't write 84 Charing Cross Road, did he? I also loved Educating Rita. I thought that all three of these (Educating Rita, 84 Charing Cross Road and Shirley Valentine) started as plays - didn't know they were novels. Somewhere, someday there must be a "Best of Willie Russell" collection.

And wasn't Educating Rita a great showcase for Julie Walter? Not to mention the always terrific Michael Caine (did you read his autobiography? Pretty good, and I heard he actually wrote it himself).

Several years ago, there was a movie wherein Julie Walter and Brenda Blethyn were friends, one of them a lot of money at a bingo game, and they took off for a trip to Las Vegas, where they met Kris Kristofferson. Have you seen this? There's a lot more to it than what I have mentioned; a good movie - and Brenda is always a treat.

The History Boys was a recent hit on Broadway, made into a movie which quickly came and went - and I look for it every time I buy DVDs.

One of my all-time favorites is Hobson's Choice - ever since I saw Charles Laughton, John Mills and Brenda DeBanzie in it - years ago. I know that they did a successful musical version (with Norman Wisdom, I think) - have they now done another? The Norman Wisdeom one was called Walking Happy.

Of course, it only goes to prove my point - David Lean is the best director of all time! Look at the list of his films and compare them with any other director. John Ford comes in second, with Hitchcock far behind. I just watched Bridge on the Rivr Kwai last week - again - and, even butchered as it was for TV, still tremendous movie-making. And what's the one with Trevor and Celia - Brief Encounter? Beautiful, huh? And, I think, written by Sir Noel - just the very best, that's all.

I've only read one of Amy Tan's books, The Joy Luck Club, and enjoyed it. Did you know that she plays in a rock group with Stephen King and a couple of others? That's true!

House of Spirits - a terrific book.

Yes, Memoirs of a Geisha was quite a surprise - being written by a man, I mean. But I enjoyed it very much - but was disappointed by the movie.

I don't know Patrick Lee Fermor, but will keep my eye open for him. Who's the travel writer - I forget his name - who has written about Laos and Southeast Asia - and many other places (Patagonia?) I remember his talking in one of his books about Laos and how they put marijuana in the cookies and how clean the brothels were. I'll remember his name later (as soon as I post this).

I've never read A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - five parts? Five separate books or all in one volume? Didn't Douglas Adams have a hit with something else years ago? Maybe I'm confusing him with someone else. Watership Down? Something about rabbits, wasn't it?

I envy you and your theatergoing; that's one of the things I miss most about not living in the States. There was a period of about 15 years when I saw everthing done on and around Broadway. One of my real dreams is to go back and spend a week in NYC and see everything I can in the space of a week. Then, back to real life ...

Well, I have to get out of here - students coming in a little over an hour.

Ralph


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