【讀者分享 🇱🇦】 寮國的新時代女性（三，中英對照） (Patreon)

在旅途上認識了兩位女生，兩位也是來自發展中的國家，而且也堪稱是她們國家的精英，故此很想讓大家有機會聽聽她們的故事。

第一位是Nickie ，寮國人。有天早上剛看完布施，正打算去早市逛逛，不料看到街上很多人盛裝而行，男的多是黑色西裝、皮鞋，女的把頭髮盤成髮髻，上身穿披肩，下身穿布料巧究的傳統筒裙 ，還化了精緻的妝容，而且很多人抱著一棵棵的”樹”---用現金做成的金錢樹。好奇心旺盛的我， 當然隨著人群走過去。

在街上看到萬人空巷的情景，我嚇了一跳，但見大家喜氣洋洋，三三五五聚在一起拍照，人人手持金錢樹、一個長方形的盒子或者托缽， 態度虔誠。看到很多親人互相輪流拍照，我上前幫忙。 很想問問大家到底是甚麼一回事，可是完全沒碰到會說英語的人。

碰上Nickie時，她也剛好忙著和親友拍照，我就自告奮勇趨前幫忙，沒想到Nickie會說英語，我就順勢問問到底是什麼一回事。Nickie說那是市內歷史最悠久的香通寺一年一度的法會，大家正在等候吉時，一起進去寺廟祈福，向佛祖獻上貢品。她說如果我不忙，可以跟著她們，一起前往寺廟， 進行法會。 於是， 什麼也沒準備的我，跟著她和親友一起參加這盛事。

路上我一直問個沒完沒了， 最好奇的是為甚麽她的英語如此流利。 Nickie說她很小的時候，就有機會去印度交流， 在印度學習了幾個月。 後來， 她又去了比利時、美國、意大利等等國家留學、實習。她是從事款待和旅遊行業，並且在首都永珍創辦了自己的旅款學院， 專門培養這個行業的人才。

我一聽，還真是非常震驚。畢竟，這是寮國啊！在這個教育不發達，而且相對非常落後封閉的共產國家， 竟然有這樣的機會， 讓這位嬌小玲瓏的女孩子出國！

法會進行了兩個多小時，讓我有機會和Nickie好好聊聊，我問她有沒有打算離開她的國家。Nickie說，她有很多機會去世界各地和不同的人交流，認識了很多人，體驗了不同的生活、文化，又與不同的機構合作，推動寮國的教育。疫情前，她甚至和香港大學有合作呢！ 目前，她要專心搞好自己的學院，為寮國的旅遊業培訓人才。

她又說，將來，她還沒決定，她在美國、澳洲也有很多親友，而且自己也挺喜歡那邊的生活。 但是， 現在，她更在乎的是她的使命--- 為寮國的年輕人開拓新的機會。

法會完畢， 我們交換了聯繫方式，說下次再見------在香港、永珍， 看看我們的緣分！

Women in the New Era  from developing countries

I met two ladies during the trip, both of them are from developing countries and can be regarded as elites in their countries. Therefore, I really want everyone to have the opportunity to hear their stories.

The first one is Nickie, from Laos. One morning, I had just finished watching the alms-giving ritual and was about to stroll in the morning market. Unexpectedly, I saw many people dressed- up and walking on the street. Most of the men were in black suits and leather shoes. The women had their hair tied into a bun and wore shawls with traditional tube skirts with exquisite fabrics and exquisite makeup, many people were holding "trees" - money trees made of cash. Being curious, of course, I followed the crowd.

I was shocked when I saw the streets. Everyone was beaming with joy and gathered together to take photos. Everyone was holding a money tree, a rectangular box or an alms bowl, with a pious attitude. Seeing many relatives taking turns taking photos of each other, I stepped forward to help. I really wanted to ask someone what was going on, but I didn’t meet anyone who could speak English at all. When I met Nickie, she was busy taking photos with her relatives and friends, so I volunteered to help. Unexpectedly, Nickie could speak English, so I took the opportunity to ask what was going on. Nickie said that it was the annual Dharma gathering of Xiang Thong Temple, the oldest temple in the city. Everyone was waiting for the auspicious time to go into the temple to pray and offer tributes to the Buddha. She said that if I was not held, I could follow them to the temple and conduct the Dharma ceremony with them. So, without any preparation, I followed her and participated in this grand event with her relatives and friends.

I kept asking endless questions on the way, and the most curious thing was why she spoke so fluent English. Nickie said that when she was very young, she had the opportunity to go to India for exchange and studied there for several months. Later, she went to Belgium, the United States, Italy and other countries to study and intern. She is engaged in the hospitality and tourism industry and founded her own tourism academy in the capital, Vientiane, to specialize in cultivating talents in this industry.

When I heard it, I was really shocked. After all, this is Laos! In this communist country where education is underdeveloped and relatively backward and closed, there is such an opportunity for this petite and exquisite girl to go abroad!

The ceremony lasted for more than two hours, which gave me the opportunity to have a good chat with Nickie. I asked her if she planned to leave her country. Nickie said that she had many opportunities to communicate with different people around the world, met many people, experienced different lives and cultures, and cooperated with different organizations to promote education in Laos. Before the epidemic, she even collaborated with the University of Hong Kong! Currently, she wants to focus on running her own academy and training talents for Laos’ tourism industry.

She also said that she has not yet decided on her future. She also has many relatives and friends in the United States and Australia, and she quite likes life there. But now, she cares more about her mission - to open up new opportunities for young people in Laos.

After the Dharma conference, we exchanged contact information and said goodbye, we will meet up next time ------ in Hong Kong, Vientiane, see what God decides for us!

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