Lao Script (PC only)(P. Casey Hennessy is a writer, poet, and artist who has published a book of poems and is in the process of writing two children’s books and stories. She currently lives on Block Island, Rhode Island with her daughter and son).
Wat Lao Buddhavong, Smithfield, Rhode Island, July 28, 2007
The summer day simmered with temperatures holding in the humid 80’s. The heat permeated the air and a small breeze traveled from the west. The breeze carried a warm pungent aroma from friendly food stalls. The fragrance was the cure for our hunger and curiosity. Beyond the barbecue pot of skewered chicken and whole fish and, next to a market of cold drinks, there were Asian foods and exotic fruits. Amidst the tidy wares and smiling women, there stood a modest mountain of rice noodles that was waiting to be immersed by a bath of beef broth. Its undeniable comfort to us was made irresistible as cilantro and scallions danced in a swirl of steam.
Suddenly, all of us became children again and glad to have our own enormous bowls in which we dove in with whatever the local customs allowed. Dara and Madeline lead the way, demonstrating their skills with chopsticks and spoons. For my son, ‘John J’ (age 7), and me, we skillfully negotiated the bowl of noodles. The rice threads seemed to possess a life of their own, swimming and slithering away from our utensils. For us, the feast had become a battle that placed our hunger against the elusive noodles.
Our hosts had urged us on with several successful strategies for chopsticks and spoon. Fueled by our hunger pangs we abandoned conventional means and found several straws and sipped the broth away from our prized noodles which we then consumed thoroughly--a perfect intertwining of East and West.
Around us, music spilled from a sound stage inviting us to join the happy crowd; the large tented area offered us camaraderie of every age and many sweet hours of entertainment. The adventure continued all day. Towards the woods the young men played a game of volleyball. Young children scouted around the area finding friends to join in play time. The summer day was warm and sweet and everyone enjoyed themselves.
