Tucked away beside the flowing Nam Xong River, is a little place called Organic Farm. With a backdrop of mountains curling along on the opposite bank.

Located about a 5 minute Henry ride out of town.

The place has been setup by a Mr. T and is designed to grow organic farm produce as well as form a platform for teaching English to local Laoation children.

I gifted our stockpile of cheggo to their school. Secretly I wanted to play Chego with the kids but I could quite convey that and ended up just giving it to them.

The first night I was here by myself (the others were all out adventuring) and the second group of kids aged around 15 finished their class and I was sitting watching and it didn’t take them long to approach me and start asking me questions about how to speak English and some just simply enjoyed talking in English to further their skill.

The farm looks for volunteers to stay and work or teach English. They have a jobs board where they keep track of what they need with English teaching being the most critical, but jobs range to building and working on the farm as well.

August was one such volunteer. An American who had spent the last 3 months teaching at organic farm by day and living it up at night.

The first thing you realise about attempting to teach English to a non-English speaker is that you don’t know how to teach English.

With me? See not easy!

Explain what a verb is using English in a way that a non speaking English person can understand? No chance.

A lot of the time you find yourself resorting to comparing an English word to another English word, but that only helps you, not the person starring at you with a quizzical expression.

Instead I resorted to the online dictionary to help me explain the words and phrases being thrown at me by a bunch of very studious kids. It was hard, even Blake (who turned up just as they were leaving) couldn’t quite explain himself.

The next day I was more prepared. I found idiom and phrase teaching pages online and was ready to go when I was blocked out by the French!

A large group of French students had arrived that morning and were staying at the farm as part of their Laos tour. They were from what I could understand a group that tours together once a year with a guide (also from France). They had arranged to pair up with the kids and I was left tearing up at the side as I watched the French (who lets be honest, were struggling nearly as much as the students) attempted to teach English. It was fine I simply ordered more food.

Once they were finished the group that hounded me the night prior re-approached. They really are simply loverly kids. We sat and we talked for a bit but it was late, I made arrangements with some of them to come back the next day at 9:00am to spend a few decent hours.

Then we went out! August took us into town (yes we rode) to an Irish bar where we had an amazingly good shepards pie and chips. I believe it was so good due to the absence of pie in our life for about two months. Nonetheless, it satisfied.

August weaved in and out of the pub almost as if an alter ego had taken over and the quiet glassed eyed chap we met on the farm was taken and consumed by party menace. We followed suit. Pool and alcohol flowed and we moved around a bit drinking before it was time to head home.

I awoke early the next morning to fulfil my teacher obligations. They arrived on time and I spent the next 3-4 hours talking and teaching with the two students that returned, both who are now my latest Facebook friends.

I really wanted to return to this place to spend time teaching but mostly connecting with the locals, And maybe I will.