Jo and Christmas have all come at once

Jo, my friend from home arrived today.  It is so good to see her and hear news of life at home and familiar things. 

And, not only that, I feel like it is Christmas.  

She brought - 

• many beginners books from the op shop for my students to read, 
• soaps and shampoo from our natural soap shop in Castlemaine, 
• numerous roll on personal insect repellents
• AND,,  (I don't know whether this is what I am most excited about ) - thermal long johns and long sleeved singlet from Kathmandu for those few freezing cold weeks in January.  

The stash

I feel very excited.  When I was living Castlemaine, I could have come up with these items in less than an hours walk around town and I wouldn't have even thought to comment on them.   (though the Kathmandu underwear would have required a drive to Bendigo) 

These things are so familiar at home,  but here NONE of these simple things is available. 

So thankyou Jo.  Until recently there have been no books in the Lao language, so books and reading have not been a part of peoples lives.   I can't wait to see my students faces when they see what a picture book is like.