Back to the Capital

Back in Vientiane I was just sitting down to lunch when along came Kirk. My Aussie companion. I didn't expect to see her since we had parted company in Pakse and I was a tad excited. After standing on tippy toes and waving my arms frantically in the air like a complete idiot I got her attention and it seemed she was just as happy to see me. Embarrassing if she ran in the opposite direction huh?
Anywa,apparently she had adopted some manky skin rash and was feeling a little Blah and too see me made her feel a little better. Also since I was off to see Khamlai, our little Monk mate, she was happy to see him too.
After a feed, off to the temple we went. Khamlai was happy to see us and after being led away from the other Monks we started our usual conversations. However, Kirk didn't tell me that she had actually planned on going, that day, with Kham, to the Buddha sculpture park and actually hadn't shown up till now. He was,in his clam Monk way, a little cheesed off at this. As usual taking the blame on himself. Being a monk only seems to breed these meek men who constantly take the fall for the community, personal situations, or mystery illnesses on their own backs. Really baffles me and the more I hear about the way they are treated at the temple the more I think of it as a prison!
Back on track........
After a happy afternoon of making up ways to smuggle Khamlai back Oz he offered us a posing question...Or Idea.
After practically squeezing it out of him and he being so shy he had to write it in his book. He asked basically if he would be able to marry one of us or come and work in our business, simply so he could come to Oz to practice his English.
A marriage proposal from a monk!!
I had to break his poor heart by pointing out that
A: It's not as easy as marring someone to get an entry into our fine country
B: Immigration may be a little suspect on our relationship considering HE'S A MONK! And can't even touch a woman yet alone consummate a marriage.
C: He doesn't have a dime in his bank account and I am not able to support myself yet alone a MONK!
D: I don't actually have a business to be able to employ him and I am a hairdresser which requires a small amount of skill to be able to do.

Not deterred or visually upset by this he seemed more worried that he may have just ruined a friendship by asking such an imposing question. I didn't have the heart to tell him that he hasn't been the first Asian to ask
and he certainly wont be the last. I still have India and China to go!

The following morning I went back early to the temple to say good bye to Khamlai before heading North. His kindness, big brown teary eyes and wishes for me to stay broke my heart. I couldn't keep big wet tears from flowing from my eyes. I really wish I could help his dreams come true and get him to Australia. I hope that this will be a friend I get to see again but am afraid I may never. Unless it is me who returns to Laos.

(By the way. Kirk's manky rash was nothing more than BED BUGS. Yes.I did get the name of the hotel so I WONT stay there!)