I told a friend that I was going to make my own hand towels, and he thought that it was ridiculous since it’s so cheap to buy one.  It’s true, but it’s not the same, I’m very proud of the things that I’m able to make for myself. I was looking for a long checkerboard print,  and recently, my GI Joe sister was cleaning out her storage and gave me a huge roll of a Ralph Lauren fabric, perfect for what I need it for.

I was inspired by a Lao hand towel uses in most home in Laos, including my aunt’s house in Paksan. This is called Pakamar, originally used by men as bath towels, one to wrap around their body while bathing in the lake or Mekong River.

I saw one at a restaurant in Vieng Vang, also know as a Farang town, if I didn’t know any better, I wouldn’t have known why it was there and what it was for. Since I grew up in the US, I only knew that it was mainly used as a bath towel back home, never knew that it has evolved to become a hand towel as well.


On the other side was a wash basin, not the greatest idea since everyone is sharing the same wash water.

We saw one by the Mekong River while we were having dinner that night, and my dad was a bit upset that the water was extremely dirty, he said that it had food waste floating everywhere.

I didn’t believe that’s possible and came to find out it was slices of lemon, and makes perfect sense since many ordered fish at the restaurant.

It’s nice to be able to do your own sewing.  I came from a family of sewers and my mom taught me how to sew in my early teens. I had to make my own clothes and hated every moment of  it, but now I’m glad that I have the skill to sew. Sewing is very relaxing and a hobby that I enjoy.  I’m learning how to make my own clothes now, but I’m better at making custom drapery.