Morning Alms & Market - Luang Prabang, Laos

April 2 - morning

We had another very early morning 5:30 so we could experience the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from residents and tourists. This tradition is unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.

Kahn first took us to where the Buddhist monks filed by to collect their morning alms. Generally sticky rice or bars or even cash. He also gave us the rules for participating: Don't get in the way of the monks, stay at least 3 meters when taking photos, dress with shoulders, chests & legs covered, when giving alms you must have shoes off and be lower than the monk. (reason for the short chairs)

So, we stood on the street while they filed by on the sidewalk. The lighting was rough for photos, but I’ll include them anyway.

chairs set up a large group to give alms

temples across the street

women selling the baskets of rice

Kham showing us the rice and other treats people buy to give to the monks

baskets of rice and sweet treats

the procession started

baskets for the monks that give back to the community by putting some rice to be given to those in need

After some time, he took us to the next street up where we would see some of the last monks to go by. Sometimes, the monks at the end don't receive any. He bought us baskets of warm sticky rice and we had short seats to sit on to be lower than the monks. You cannot touch them, and most do not speak. We wore scarves out of respect and removed our shoes. As each one filed by, we put a gloved hand of some rice in as many as we could. A few said “hello” and “thank you”, but most didn’t speak. Young and old monks do this every day and Khan told us they share the rice with everyone, so not to worry if the last monks don't receive any. There was also a basket that some put rice in to give back to the community. Just a surreal magical experience.

waiting for the monks to come & wearing our scarves

There was a temple across the street that we were supposed to visit later, but he asked if we minded doing it now. Of course, that was no problem.

Wat Visoun temple was constructed during the reign of King Visounarat around 1520 and the oldest Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang. In 1942, it was turned into a Museum of Religious Arts, and houses collections of Buddha images and religious artifacts from the fourteenth century. 

English translation - almost

After that we went to visit the morning Market. Cathy and I bought cute purses from a lady before we even got to the market. The market had some very interesting things for sale. Khan told us that really nothing goes to waste, so they eat everything.

a pink one down at the end caught my eye - thanks Cathy for letting me have it as I know it caught your eye as well

grilled bird of some sort

off with your head....

insects

live ducks

looked like larvae

more insects

Marigolds

frogs

mice or rats

even the guide didn't know what this was

fresh rooster

little girls selling birds that you set free

we are setting our birds free - there were 2 in each basket

one bird left right away out of the hole I made

the 2nd bird needed some help

We were taken back to the hotel for breakfast and a shower. No buffet here, but off the menu and they brought everyone a mixed fresh fruit bowl, yogurt, and a fresh baked basket of bread beside the main dish we ordered. All very good.

the hotel was long and spread out

also part of Burasari Heritage Hotel

pretty tree across the street

Mekong river viewpoint - where it meets the Namkhan River

It seemed like we had a full day tour already, but it continued after our break.

I have broken this into 2 posts. Next one will be the city tour, Kuang Si waterfall and the night market.

For larger photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TQv2U3zG6Rsf3uTY6