Hello, friends. Let's open our Window on the World again on Laos. We have learned about the land, climate and people. Today, let's find out about their food. The main food for our friends in Laos is rice. Most Asian people do enjoy eating rice with their meals. Rice is the main crop that is grown in Laos. The rice is usually served with chili sauce or a spicy fish sauce. Much of the food is very spicy. One dish you might want to try is called LAP. It is meat that is cooked with onions, lemon grass, (a lemon-tasting herb), and other spices. Other foods that are eaten include fish, eggs, chicken, pork, and occasionally, beef. Popular beverages are coffee and tea.

If you were to visit a home in Laos, you would sit on a mat on the floor to eat. As a sign of respect for you as their guest, the host and family would not raise their heads higher than yours. They never want to offend anyone. Most Lao eat using a fork in their left hand and a spoon in their right hand. They do often eat rice with their fingers.

I hope you have learned something new today about Laos. Next week we'll find out about the many different animals that live in Laos.