Use the links above to see more photos.

When you first travel to a different place, everything seems new, strange and exciting.  But when you have been in a place for a while it all begins to take on an aura of normalcy.  The events that once excited soon seem commonplace. The elements that would have fascinated become part of your daily life.  You fall into a routine and fail to see the many things that you once found alluring. I've fallen into this trap and so have grown lax in my web postings. My apologies.

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In Laos, banners are a way to let people know about important upcoming events or special days. And if the town where you live doesn't put up banners on a regular basis you were probably unaware that October 13th was World Sight Day or that the 15th was "Global Handwashing Day".

We may find this amusing but the simple act of washing your hands - with soap - a couple of times a day in a country like Laos can help keep everyone a little healthier and even save lives.