After 40 years, I'm heading back to Laos - still hard to believe it's happening. I'm back in touch with old classmates and other alumni of the American School of Vientiane, where I went to school 7th through 9th grades, 1969 - 71. Dad worked for USAID (well, not exactly), and wanted overseas assignment again. He and some others in his outfit were thoroughly opposed to the war, having projected a no-win situation - but he was dedicated to helping the troops, making sure they got what they needed to stay alive, and that money did not get into the wrong pockets. So, there we were, whisked away to a new world.
And after going back to Asia with the NCTA Study Tour in Japan, I was re-inspired to find the ASV group again. I knew they were out there somewhere - and sure enough, they had a group on Facebook. There, I found out a reunion trip was being planned.
So, after many decades of thinking the memories were only in my head, I am now finding this family of people who all shared this TCK experience! (Third Culture Kid - interesting info, another story.) And wonderful folks they are, with some really incredible stories, some of which I hope to share here.
This was not just a "vacation" trip. It stirred up a lot, and I sure wish my parents were still alive - they would have gotten such joy out seeing this thing unfold. And most of all, my dad would have been very happy to see how the people of Laos are doing, making forward progress, so far . . .
This is my first attempt at blogging. Bear with me as I fumble through it.
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