On a warm breezy weekend morning, I love eating breakfast in the shade of our mango tree with a big mug of coffee and a good book.
Make that past tense – LOVED. Last winter construction began on a house next door, and it was loud. Really, really loud. All the time. Sitting outside was not just unpleasant; it was unbearable. Even indoors, the noise was sometimes so obnoxious that we had to turn on the A/C just to drown it out. Finally, the new house – with its ridiculous baroque ornamentation – was finished. Peace at last. I managed to enjoy a few weekends of outdoor noshing and reading before we left for the States in June.
Upon returning to Vientiane in early August, we were shocked and dismayed to discover the new house now seems to operate a woodworking business. From about 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Every. Single. Day.
Some days, when I am exhausted from school or cranky from all the rain or frustrated by a cultural impasse and all I want in the whole world is some tranquility, that sound … that incessant SOUND … can trigger the mother of all meltdowns. My nerves are shot. My eyes ache from holding back the tears. My shoulders hunch up around my ears. If I knew any state secrets, I would spill them. Just make it stop.
That is terrible! Maybe they would be willing to not work weekends, and evenings, and perhaps move their shop somewhere else?
OH NO! Sounds like you moved to the light industrial area!! Peace, tranquility, why has thou forsaken thee?
Hi,
Everythings ok? Despite audio meltdown? I miss Laos and are so happy to have your blog to follow the life of Laos : ).
Lot of hugs,
Tina
No zoning laws huh? š
You should really have one of those 24-hour web cams on you. Endlessly entertaining. But I couldn’t see the title of the book you were trying to read.
Hey Teri! I’m trying to read Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie and it’s taking me FOREVER. I try to skim parts, but his magical writing sucks me in and I feel compelled to read every word.