INSIGHT into Living in Laos as a Foreigner | Now in Lao 

if you have any questions or things you'd like me to talk about when we do the LIVE video streams on our travels after next week, ask below. Cheers

I love these daily living videos, as well as the adventures! It’s a nice balance, and lets us get to know you better!

The daily vlogs are my favorite to watch.

Keep the videos coming

Great Show always entertaining like share and comment

The videos are great 👍🙂

Love the daily life videos Todd👍👍

Hey Todd Neenee & Mina! I love the "open air" markets; fresh and unpackaged. Visiting my paternal grandmother for the first time in 1973, was treated t this experience by accompanying cousin's multiple times daily to shop for each meal. There's also the personal interaction with the vendors. Mina's such a sweet child. Not a problem with the quantity of your videos; prioritize your health. Will still follow the channel. Pay someone for the upkeep of your property! Not worth jeopardizing your health; no pain or discomfort. Should be using compression leggings if not opting for surgery. Loving everything you and Neenee do to give Mina a better future and life. Comical that you're introducing Neenee to Western colloquialisms. Hahahahaha Love Mina's funny side; is she getting taller or is it my imagination? Everyday life videos draw a interesting perspective into Laotian living and culture. Funny how I asked about her height before you commented on it. Stay happy and healthy

Love the daily life videos! Good luck on your trip- travel safe.

Love the local content I grew up in a time where we had outdoor markets and mom shopped at them most of the time. We had local small grocers also that mom would sent me to for something she forgot. I remember when they opened the first grocery store. Dad and I would stay in the car and listen to the news. I miss the open markets.

All Good Todd just thought of seeing what your up to

relaxing these everyday video 👍

I love your stuff. Just a peek into your everyday life is great. And yes Meena is a blessing to all of us. Wonderful job.

💯🔥💙👍

Love the daily life videos

Your daily life videos are just brilliant. So full of essential information and I look forward to catching up with you all some time.

Harriet and i love the daily life videos. It's funny how are lives cross. You have a dog whose like a child that we dearly love. And your Mina is your baby. She has grown so much recently. Enjoy those moments while she is still very young. Todd, take of yourself. We assume that this will be the first time Mina has flown in a plane? Is she getting excited about going to Australia ? Great Video as always. Sending you all the best mate. 👍👍 Jim and Harriet

Great video Todd bless u nee nee and Mina ❤🎉

Thanks!

🤗🙏🏼! I enjoy all your videos, thank you. Glad to hear that your wrist is doing better. They gave me a cortisone shot when I had that, many years ago, that did the trick. Take care.

They are great mate

Love the daily life videos mate. It’s a perfect mix of content mate. Good to see the hand is slowly getting better.

We enjoy your every day life in Lao. Keep it up! Thank you!

I just watched this with David Viengkeo. I am in the US on our annual trip. I am waiting for a skin cancer biopsy. We have been here for about 10 days and I am missing Lao already. Skip 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

OUCH! I hope your leg will be ok. And yes I do like your videos showing what you do from day to day to keep busy. Thank you for sharing. 😁😁😁

Thanks so much Todd for my Sunday Arvo video........hoping your wrist is going ok and you have been wearing your brace ......love these market Laos everyday life video

Real life is always good to see.!!

Daily life is fine Mate. As it gives a good insight into the pace and small tasks that you encounter and have to deal with.

As always Todd, a very good vlog. I do like these daily life videos and as it takes less work and helps to make your right hand better, I am all in favour. The markets and local shops which we use here in Khon Kaen remind me of my childhood where everything was local and community based and you can try before you buy. I can still remember the first help yourself shop in the small town which was only a shop, arranged so that you could take a basket and select your own goods. It was called PayandTake and caused quite a sensation as people felt it was going to take away the personal touch of the local shops. How right they were! I remember having to queue up at Elizabeths the bakers shop at 7:30 a.m. to make sure that I got the 2 types of loaves that my mother liked, They were a Sussex and a Large Bloomer, and woe betide me if I gave into temptation and picked a bit of the warm crust! The hardware shop was like an Aladdin's cave to me as was the grocery store with all its tins and brown bags etc. Butter was in a huge block kept on a cold marble slab and the grocer would expertly cut off a piece and use wooden butter pats to shape it into a rectangular cube, wrap it in greaseproof paper and weigh it out. It would always be about 1/2lb. Similarly with cheese, it would be cut as a wedge from a whole round of cheese. A lot of the shops were still lit by gaslights. Anyway, Laos and Thailand are a bit like stepping back in time, apart from all the motorcycles and cars!! Yes Mina is growing fast and being so active she burns a lot of energy so a better diet is doing her the world of good. Sorry, I've rambled on too long! Keep them coming, young man. God bless you and keep you all safe always. 😀❤🙏

Very enjoyable video 😊 love the every day life.

really do like the daily life vlogs watching that big squirt grow is a real treat

Great videos. Can relate 😊 Mina is growing so quickly... going to be handful but great fun to be around... will keep you young at heart.

The wet markets are fun for me. No trollies need, required or available. 😁When we go we always go in separately to avoid the foreigner price. Mel does all the buying. We do shop mostly at a super market which is more convenient.

I prefer these daily videos. Its actually the best content and good for your situation. Good stuff!!

Todd you can video anything n most of us would enjoy...thanks for sharing your life with us all. Be well m8.

Mina is just unbelievable adorable and has dad wrapped around her fingers. But that's a good thing. She never wonders off from you and mom(Neenee). Enjoy your vlogs always. Glad your doing better and good to see Neenee well too. Stay safe and healthy Todd Neenee and little Mina.❤❤❤❤have to change to big soon.😅😅😅😊😊😊😊

mate love your videos keep up the good work all the best

Great video thank you for sharing

These daily life videos are fine, take care of your health.

Love the daily videos, keep them co ming. No one could do these like you do 😂

I love your daily videos. I am living on half an acre in Thailand , 3 hours drive from Laos. My second year. I started to watch your vlogs , just to hear your amazing Australian accent. I am now 65 and Thai wife 50. Have noticed how we are getting old ! I have my skin checked every year myself in Melbourne. Have lived Mid. North Coast NSW most of my life. Cheers and keep going my friend ! 😊

All good Todd, daily life videos are awesome. Much love to you and your family. No homo.😂

Open markets are very competitive and you have a wider choice than a supermarket. If you don’t like the quality or price of one vendor, there are others to choose from. You don’t get that with a supermarket. I have several indoor farmers markets in my area. Always a pleasure and treat to see Mina in action.❤ Take care of your video editing hand. Cheers mate.

For skin you can try to use Aloe Vera plant gel 👍

Hi Todd! I enjoy all of your wonderful and educational Videos! I particulary enjoy these Daily Living ones as my Wife and I hsve been to Vientiane multiple times! It is fun seeing places that I recognise like that Immigration Office!! We had found an amazing French Restuarant near the Night Market but I recently learned that they have closed due to the covid lockdown. 😥 Keep up the good works and our warm regards to your Beautiful Family!! Rob Allen and Family down here in Thailand!! 🐒🌴🐘🐘🌴🐒

Todd you can video anything its all good stuff.

After long time watching im now in Ubon Thani,on my way mate.Thanks for such good content,your changing live's.Maybe we can meet for dinner one day.Sending love🙏🙏🙏

The greatest thing about markets is the money stays with the people, not big greedy supermarket chains and corporations that fill fatcat pockets! I hope this never gets outlawed in these countries, it a beautiful thing!

👍😎

Hi been watching your videos for long time l just came on a 2 day trip to Laos l think next time need to go away from Venteon, I found quite boring. About your Erica, Spain's eye individual.Having to see a specialist in Bangkok at a great hospital.Public but now I only wear now and then.Support stockings and take one blood thinners a day I'm looking a lot better and no pain keep up the great videos best regards Nigel from Adelaide now in Thailand

Those palms are nasty, and we cut them with electric pole saws. The phrase, shit eating grin, is possibly from a contraction "grinning like a possum eating shit." That's all I could find, Todd. Cheers mate!

Thats all it takes from me to give a thumbs up is Minas smiling face

I really enjoy the day in the Life videos Todd And if it's a lot easier on the wrist 💪🏽 And doing a bit of gardening in Lao. Looks like it could be pretty dangerous buddy And as always, keep up the good work bro 💯🇬🇧🙏🏽

Stay awesome 👌 brother 🙏

Howdy Todd,,as I've mentioned,,I never tire of the market videos. I think im with you,,i like the " differentness " of the market scenes,,the different prepared foods,,chopping up the meat reminds me of butchering beef,,hogs,,chicken,,and also game meat like deer and elk. And i have a vivid imagination,,so everything is in smellavision!😂😅 Hope you guys have a great relaxing trip. Dont forget to take mina swimming 10 or 20 times😂😅🤣😂 Ttyl,,,Marlon

All right I've gone down the rabbit hole looking for the origins of "shit eating grin!" LOL It seems to have appeared in literature in the 1950's with one theory being that it derives from "shingle-eating grin," which was used 2x in US military write ups during WWII. Shingle-eating grin derives from eating "shit on a shingle" which is what GIs called chipped beef on toast. My proper mother would never allow us to use this expression, but we used "Cheshire cat grin" in it's place :) Questions: 1. Are you marking on a door frame Mina's height every six months? This was such a common thing to do in the US in 1960s and 70s. How much has she actually grown since September? 2. How do you fill your gas tank on the extended road trips? Do you carry a jerrycan of extra gas? 3. How do you decide where to go on an extended road trip? 4. Are you thinking at some point that Mina's family will realize how much farther ahead she will be then her brother and want her brother to have the same education and advantages that she is getting now? I know that the agreement is for you to pay for his education, but there's a huge difference between a village education and the one that Mina is receiving in the city. 5. I can't wait to see Mina's reaction when you travel to Australia! How will she process being the "foreigner?" How huge and clean everything is! Will you have her write/draw/record her day each day? It will be a priceless souvenir. 6. Do you have to pay duty on the beanies and other things that are mailed to you in Laos? 7. Do you have planned schoolwork or activities for Mina during the summer so that she keeps learning? She is such a sponge soaking up everything! I think you are pretty damn lucky that Neenee allows you to drive her brand new car LOL! I love the daily life videos - especially if they are around the 15-20 minute length. Perfect for watching while taking a break. But I also love the longer format adventure videos. So glad that your wrist is healing. Bette Davis quote, "Getting old isn't for sissies!" Ain't that the truth : )

I always enjoy the daily life videos. Mina is growing like a weed. 🙏👍

I hope Laos never changes its wet markets. The produce and meats are so fresh. I miss that so much where I live now. I used to go to the market and get fresh tilapia for 250 baht ($6.50 USD). The guy would butcher the fish on the spot for me and I would grill it with my (also) fresh-still-moving giant prawn shrimp. On the weekends, I would get fresh snails and cook them with a Thai curry sauce. Why can't I get that kind of fresh seafood here when Laos is a land-locked country with no access to the ocean?!?

Yes mate remember when we were kids growing up in the 70s they'd tell us go outside and get some sun it's good for you.

I love your videos. By the way i had same problems with my arm and started to use the Logitech MX ergo mouse and the Logitech master MX master 3 mouse. they are wireless but maybe expensive. i also use a gell pad to support my wrist. I wish i could live there but my country dont have agreement wit Laos.

Cpt..❤❤❤❤❤

This is exactly the stuff I need to see. I won't be going off on cross-country adventures, but I will need to know what kind of gardening I have on store, and how to find what I want in a market, how to get an eye test or a filling etc. The boring, mundane, day-to-day stuff.

Hey Todd, I agree with you about your varicose veins. I have had mine for the last 30 years and have had them treated some years ago only for them to return over time. The only problem they give me is discoloration due to iron staying in my lower left leg. It looks dark red and ugly, but no real issues and get them checked every year. Cheers mate

Did you watch the Xfinity race in Chicago today Todd? Looking forward to seeing how the boy goes in the main game tomorrow. These day videos are good.

daily life, if you go to supermarket see if you can give the price of food booze etc and white goods TVs

Long time viewer... happy with how you roll Mr Todd... you have the same inheritance as me... varicose veins...

Thank you for your videos. I’ve done two trips to Southeast Asia, from Canada. One trip to Thailand for four months, and another trip to Cambodia for two months followed by four days in Bangkok, Thailand. And then flew back to Canada again. Planning on returning and living the rest of my life there. Perhaps in Siem Reap. But I would love to visit Laos for a while. Just wondering if some of those bars and restaurants in Vang Vieng or in the 4,000 Islands still have their funny “happy” menus with unusual items listed? Take care, and have safe travels and a happy life. Namo Buddhaya 🙏🏼 ☸️ 🌴 🙂

Ps: Re skin cancer checks,well done for getting yourself checked.I've had about 4 skin cancer melanomas' removed ,luckily at an early stage of developing. Re Newcastle,do you remember the "Newcastle Song" Newcastle in the 70s and that's exactly what Hunter Street was like any any given 'Saturdee arvo' - although Bob Hudson left out the Sandman panel vans with the three surfboards permanently welded to the roof racks!...lol Kenno

"Gentlemen,lift your skirts" reference to formula 1 racing cars skirt,I'm guessing ? The varicose veins,I had mine ( calf) sorted in Perth about 20 years ago.Sclerotherapy Sclerotherapy is a widely used procedure for superficial varicose veins. Small and medium sized veins can be injected with a solution that makes the vein collapse. Have had no issues. Re the home videos and Laos everyday life,keep them coming,I for one am interested as I have witnessed everything in sequential video's. I would be interested in Neenee's background ,from childhood to now. Probably a part 3 series or the like...Cheers.....Kenno ..West Aust

We have similar nasty palms here in California, I cut the palm down because I was getting tired of bleeding!

Them Palm trees are a Bastard !! Mums got one in her front yard and I’ve been stabbed multiple times by it. Best to put Tree Tee Oil on it straight away. It’s fun getting old hey mate 🤣

🙏🏻🇺🇸👍

Let us hope Laos keeps some of it's unique identity and doesn't become China's most southern "Suburb".

Back in the West we used to have local markets with locally sourced products that weren't vacuum packed. Meat that didn't have chemical and preservatives to keep the shelf life longer. No Maccas on every street corner and plaza food court. People could grow their own produce and take the excess up to a market and trade it for other sellers stuff. When you see the first 7 eleven or Tesco pop up in a town - you know it's the beginning of the end for the local market. Not the most progressive idea when you consider the diabetes and other diseases so prevalent in Western society awash with junk food

Asia would lose half of its charm if the outdoor markets went away and would lose a significant amount of its “community feeling” if they went as well. The bonus to using a western supermarket is that it is consistent in quality + availability where as that is a con in Asia. However the benefit of the open markets in Thailand is too many to list…. my favourite being that the farmers can sell direct to the customer by-passing most tax. The sellers do a pay a hefty amount to open their stalls in those markets though relative to their profits.

Local markets...maybe the most important thing is that cash is spread widely throughout the community, not just going straight to Coles, Aldi and Woolies coffers. The sights and smells of an Asian market sure fill the senses too! 😅❤ Those bloody date palms are a nightmare, I had a thorn stuck deep in my hand for years...the doctor couldn't get to it. Eventually it found its own way out. Be careful, they bite hard. 😮

Are you coming too Sydney would love too meet you guys I follow your channel

We (USA) use that term also ('shit eating grin') I always thought it came from the look on a kid's face while they sport a full diaper (nappy) and especially when someone else inquires about the foul smell, little boys particularly find that little trick amusing! But I could also be way off? cheers! ron:)

I too love our local market in Luang Prabang but I wish shopping could be done with fewer plastic bags! They think I'm very odd when I pull out a fabric shopping bag and say "no plastic bag" "bor thong yang"!

When are you going to do a video with Mario and Olivia?

I wasn't going to hit that thumbs-up but once Mina asked , I was just helpless. I've always been a sucker for a pretty girl...

Hemp oil extract applied topically for skin cancer and prevention.

Giddy mate . Cape york here.

Waddya think of the Fortuner so far Todd? Is it the 2.4 model or the 2.8 litre model and 4x2 or 4wd? We are thinking about getting one when we return to our home at Cebu late next year. Bob. NZ.

Gentlemen, lift your skirts was in reference to the Williams formula 1 racing team whose side skirts on the cars were banned ...hence, they were told to "lift their skirts"....are you coming to Savannakhet soon?

What about the flies? non-refrigeration etc.?

Hi Todd Have you ever tried a vertical mouse. It has made a huge difference with my hand and arm. Has it holds it in a more natural way. Kaz

Regarding the no licence plate.. My sister was visiting me in chiang mai and the bike also didn't have the licence and she asked why.. "Well, your baby brother is a gangster....". She was pretty much ready to go home again 😂😂😂😂

did you get use the taste of padaek fermented fish sauce?

Not only are the the local markets convinient. its a big part of the local community and economy. if everyone shopped in the big boxstores it would be less jobs, more expensive and all the profit would would go to some probably transnational corporation while te local farmers gets screwed. its been outlawed pretty much most of the west. everything needs government approval and certification and tax stamps. selling raw milk and meat gets you arrested many places.

hi guys

Gentleman lift your Skirt is from F1 racing

Google says : As documented by the Oxford English Dictionary, the slang was first used in literature in 1957. There are two theories of where the saying originates from: One is lowering the person with the smug grin down to the level of an animal, stating that they have no sense of social norms. The other is to refer to the the freaky grins of coprophages (people who eat fecal matter) in ancient Rome.

Have you thought about getting Meena English language flash cards to speed up her learning of English ?? Also, she is growing like a weed !!

77-85 Kip for a tray of eggs wtf 🤯 they are about $1NZD each here. Min wage for reference is $18.52 in the hand if you don't have a student load. Only entry level jobs but they probably want to eat as well.

I trim palms here on the Island with Bypass Loppers Todd, cheap about 25 here in the US and way easier, your wrist will thank you. Daily vloggs are always welcomed. Ps. shave ya Bum! 😎

no temp plates from the dealer?

It's just carpel tunnel not that bad thought something serious, I've had it operated on easy recovery

Todd , my brother has Varicose veins he was called up for Veitnam , and was knocked back, So your safe from Call up Peter

How clean is the tucker at the markets? I'm a bit of greeny, grow and harvest as much food as possible. Try not to go to the supermarket, don't use single use plastic. Organic regulations here aren't that clean so I try to sort my own food. My biggest concern to south east Asian, availability of good food and pollution. I haven't found solid answers. I know I will have to put blinkers on, I'm disgusted by the things that happen NZ. The theory is not my home not my job as long as my actual home is all good. Maybe try to make a local difference.