Laos/Thailand - School Built

We just arrived after two hard days of construction work on a school and another three days treking. So much to say, but here it is:

The students actually built a school. They mixed concrete, made the cinderblocks, and layed the blocks. We almost finished what turned out to be serious, hard work, but very rewarding. After staying three nights in relatively comfortable homes, we slept on floors with little mattresses, we treked up into the hmong tribal regions. Our first day was a challenge with leeches attacking from all directions. A few students had interesting leech locations! We arrived in a small village that had NEVER been visited by any white people, ever. Once again, Cape Henry leads the way. We were welcomed into their homes and given an elevated bamboo matt to sleep on. By far the roughest conditions we've ever experienced. The kids were great though. Real troopers. No complaints, no negativity. They rocked. The next day we treked over the ridges into another village and stayed in similar conditions. Twice we experience the Hmong baci ceremony and we're blessed with their animist shaman. This was really a cultural experience. Food was rough for some as rice was the mainstay. After three days of treking we made it back to luang prabang and civilization. Everyone is happy to be here and looking forward to riding elephants tomorrow.
Everyone made it out safe and sound.

We'll probably blog again tomorrow.