Luang Prabang, Laos

We arrived in Laos after dark last night and prepared for an early morning start at 4:00 am for the giving and receiving of alms for the local monks.  Every single morning over 100 monks walk approximately five blocks with tourists and locals lined along the sidewalk, each of whom place a small portion of food into the bowls they carry.  We sat on small chairs and provided a small handful of cooked rice (what is known as “sticky rice”) to each of the Monks.  The process starts around 6:00 am.

Laos is approximately 80% Buddist.  Families who are Buddists are expected to send their boys, anytime after they are 10 years old, to study Buddhism for at least three months.  Senior monks (20 years old and older) cover both shoulders.  Junior monks only cover one shoulder.

The monks do not cook food as they are not allowed to touch “raw” meat.  (They also cannot touch women – including their mothers.)  Their food is cooked by others. The monks are not vegetarians and eat two meals a day – both before lunch.  They then fast until the next morning.  It was a very interesting process to be a part of. 

After the giving and receiving of alms we visited the local market.  This market included clothing, kitchen utensils and local foods that range from vegetables to live animals including rats, bats, eels, turtles, duck chicken, wild cats, live fish, duck, chicken, frogs, etc.

After returning to the hotel for breakfast we drove into Luang Prabang to visit Temples, the Royal Museum and have lunch at a local restaurant.  After lunch we shopped in some of the stores and street vendors.  Laos appears to have more artistic stores and items that either Viet Nam or Cambodia.