Laos - U.S. Relations Report

Me in a Laotian tree

 Laos is gradually moving away from its war-torn impoverished state and increasingly becoming involved in the international community, including engagement with the United States. In July 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Laos, marking the first visit by a Secretary of State since 1955.  Laos was accepted into the World Trade Organization in 2013 albeit it applied for membership in 1997. President Obama became the first U.S. President to visit Laos in September 2016, when he and Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit committed to a Comprehensive Partnership [1]. On a relative note, especially in the midst of the US change of administration, Dr. Jill Biden, wife of President Biden, visited Laos in 2015 becoming the first representative from the White House to ever visit Laos [2]. A relatively unique feature of the country is that 70 percent of Laos’ population is under 30 years old [3].  It stands to reason that “a large part of U.S. bilateral assistance to Laos is devoted to improving health and child nutrition” [1].

The Ukrainian Refugees that Tried to Raft to Vietnam

Once upon a time, I was in Laos searching for a place to camp and hoping that I wouldn't get robbed like last time.. 

Watermelon City

          Once upon a time, I wandered by accident into a wonderful world of watermelon. Surely, it was my destiny to discover that enchanted land for I am one who particularly loves watermelon. 

Weird Food That I've Eaten

There's a ton of unusual stuff I've eaten over the years. Some of it good, some bad, and some of it so revolting that its less appealing than eating a spoonful of lumpy mucus. Now, lets begin with my personal list of culinary adventure!