Vanida and Phout
I am back in Hong Kong but I still have found memories of Luang Prabang Laos. A lot have been about the students I taught but a lot have also focused on some really good people I met there. Two have them were Phout (pronounced as Put) and Vanida.
Phout was originally from Vientiane and worked in a hotel for almost 15+ years (he is now 27) working in every capacity. From there he learned how the hospitality industry worked. He went to university but has a knack for working with the public. I met him at his wine bar called BL in the heart of Luang Prabang. I went there since I had heard about it through a gay travel website. He was extremely friendly so I went back every night. He owns the wine bar along with a Guesthouse and a night club kind of bar called Blue Ice Bar. He is planning to open a restaurant or something later on. He just bought a house for his cousins to live in in LB. Through him, I was able to meet almost everyone in the hospitality industry in the city. Through him, I learned a lot about the customs and lifestyles in Laos. He said gay life is a lot more conservative than Thailand but it is possible. He told me how corrupt the business practices are as far as the need to pay people off to get many things done.
The second was a wonderful woman named Vanida. She is originally from Vietnam but married a Lao guy. Sadly he died 10 years ago and she has spent her time raising her two girls. She speaks 4 languages including French and a bit of Spanish. She co-owns the wine bar with Phout. I would also say she is part of the reason the bar does so well. She talks to everyone who walks in with a smile and a warm greeting. On the slow nights, I would talk to her for hours and learn more about her and about the area. She always has a sunny feeling to her.