A lover is what I am. 31. Queer. Bookworm. Hopeful writer. Art exhibitions enthusiast. Devoted friend. Dancer. Die-hard moviegoer. Melomaniac. Feminist at the core. Caring Sister. Avid newspaper and magazine reader. Television addict. Traveler without borders. Dinner parties thrower. Fashion enjoyer. Gourmet. Crosswords doer. Masters of Arts collector. Redempted daughter. Retail therapy believer. Director in-the-making. History lover. Mythology worshiper. Smoking relapser. Future Toronto resident. Cordon bleu (as in pretty good in the kitchen). Pretty good in the bedroom also. Life celebrant.
a really excellent way to reduce anxiety is to pick up a new hobby. find something you’re interested in, learn it, then use it as a healthy and productive way to cope.
We dined on the rooftop of The Good View in Vientiane last night, by the Mekong River, and were treated to a very good band. Once more, I’m sorry didn’t catch their name! They played Lao pop and cover songs, and the girl’s voice particularly shone in this gorgeous cover of Dancing in the Dark. The food, also, was excellent and plentiful. What a lovely moment our last dinner out in Vientiane was (we’re having dinner at home tonight, and we’re leaving tomorrow :()!
"It is a painful reminder of the Vietnam War era. (…) The international community will join us in our efforts to bring this legacy of the Vietnam War to a safe end"
-
Then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who made an historic visit to Laos in 2012 -the first by an American Secretary of State since the 1950s- upon meeting victims of unexploded bombs (from the Vietnam War) at the
Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise.
More than three decades after the war ended, the number of unxeploded bombs (dropped by the American military) is staggering, and they are deadly. They are still killing people, mainly children, and when the victims survive, they are severely injured and in need of artificial limbs. Oftentimes, in rural places, makeshift prothesis were made from bamboo… This is why the work of the COPE, which provides prothesis and artificial limbs for the wounded is so important. We are going to visit the centre today, on our last day in Vientiane.
Today, Mum and I went to the Morning Market in Vientiane, and bought frsh shrimps, herbs, vegetables and fruit. So, I made these fragrant
Lao Marinated Shrimps, and it’s a refreshing burst of flavours!
Ingredients (serves 4):
1 pound fresh large shrimps
1 green onion
1 small bunch fresh cilantro (about 5-6 sprigs)
3 sprigs fresh Thai basil
3 sprigs fresh dill
2 small limes
1 ½ tablespoon sweet chili sauce
2 ½ tablespoons pure coconut oil
1 small lime
1 ½ tablespoon sweet chili sauce
Rinse shrimps under cold water, and drain in a colander.
Finely chop green onion, cilantro, Thai basil and dill. Combine chopped herbs in a medium bowl, and grate in the zest of one lime. Thoroughly squeeze in the juice of both limes. Stir in sweet chili sauce and coconut oil, and mix well.
Peel shrimps and add to the bowl, tossing them well into the sauce. Cover with cling film, and marinate, at room temperature (if not too hot), at least four hours, stirring every now and then.
Preheat oven to 210°C (410°F).
Place marinated shrimps, with the marinade, in a baking dish, and cook in the oven, at 210°C (410°F), 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, once pink and roasted, and let cool slightly.
Return roasted shrimps to the bowl, squeeze in the juice of the lime and add the sweet chili sauce. Stir well to combine. Cover again with cling film. Chill at least a couple of hours in the refrigerator, preferably overnight.
Serve
Lao Marinated Shrimps with slices of avocado.
On the Mekong River, somewhere between Ban Pak Hou -where we saw the caves- and Luang Prabang -where we had a quick break before going to the Kuang Si Falls.
