Morning alms

A Buddhist morning ritual that goes back a couple thousand years .....

Every morning, starting at about 5:30 a.m., the monks walk past the guest house where I am staying in Luang Prabang, to receive food.



Some 250 novice and monks seek their food alms every morning.  The food these monks receive on their morning walk, is the only food they will have to eat that day.



The view from the veranda of my roon at the guest house ......



Today, a grou of Thai tourists were on hand to give rice to the monks as well as getting their pictures taken of them giving food to the monks.  Bit of a circus atmosphere .... I wonder what the young novice and monks think about as the cameras flash....



Free samples at the night market!

Walking around the night market in Luang Prabang, I heard a seller call out.... "Free samples."  The word "Free" ..... why does this capture one's attention immediately?

There the bottles all stood as the vendor called out.... and all I heard was "Free, free, free!"



"What did I just drink?" I asked myself as the white liquid set my stomach on fire.




Only after having gulped the "Lao Whiskey" did I look at the bottles set out before me.




Had I just drank a shot of "Green Viper Whiskey?"




Some kind of "Black deadly Snake?"




Or was it "Scorpion Whiskey" I drank?




Don't tell me it was "Cobra Wiskey!"



Talk with a University student

While sitting under a tree, eating my spicy papaya salad with sticky rice, this university student came up to me and asked if he could interview me.  I said yes ..... and in our conversation, I found he is the librarian at Luang Prabang's only library. 



After I'd fnished my lunch, Somleth Lattanansouvannaphone agreed to take me to the library. When we arrived, already 5 teenagers were waiting to enter.  People come to the library to learn English using books and CDs, as well as learning how to take pictures (the library lends digital cameras) and then develop the pictures using computers.  Over 100 individuals use this library each day. 
Of course when I learned that people come here to learn English, I immediately thought about the possibility of volunteers!  I will talk with the library's Director, Carol and see if this is a possibility.



Watt Xienthong in Luang Prang

Watt Xienthong sits on the banks of the Mekong River.  The temple complex includes this main temple and many smaller temples.  It was built in 1560 and has been in continuous use since then.



The main door to the temple is beautifullly carved and covered with gold.  The main Buddha figure can be seen through the entrance.



The inside of this old wooden temple is a style of times past.  Massive wooden pillars line both sides of the temple, leading to the Buddha figure.




The walls inside the main temple are all stenciled in gold with the above and below type figures.





The outside of these temples, I found fascinating.  The outer walls are purple with mosaic designs using colored glass.



Colorful dansing figures adorn the outer walls.



Elephants too!



Luang Prabang Elementary School

I stepped off the plane in Luang Prabang and was greeted by the cool air that follows a fesh rain!  Got a taxi to my hotel ..... now Luang Prabang has been named by UNESCO as a World Heritage City..... and now I know why.  This city is absolutely beautiful.  Will add photos to explain.

Wandering around the city, I came upon this elementary school, with a bi-lingual program.  I walked into the Bi-Linguat Program Office expecting someone to speak English.  But No.  Bi-Lingual meaning Lao and French.  I spoke with Mme. Souvanmaly Outhay, the Assistante Pedagogique Primaire Luang  Prabang, about volunteer opportunities, using my rusty French.  She will talk with the School's Director and let me know on Monday of the results.

Lao-American College

I wanted to meet with the Director, Ginny.... but that meeting will need to wait until my next trip!  I am not sure if the placement of volunteers is in store, but this is an impressive college and Ginny has potentially a wealth of information that could help Friends For Asia.

Meeting with SOS National Director

Last summer while in Bali, I volunteered with an SOS Village and Youth Center.  I was very impressed with the Bali SOS program, so when I got to Lao, I was very interested in meeting with the SOS National Director in Vien Tiane.



SOS Lao has six Village programs scattered throughout the country, providing a home for nearly one thousand orphans.  SOS Lao also operates other projects for children as well, including nutrition activities.



I met with Mr. Soumata, the National Director of SOS Villages Laos and had a very productive discussion regarding the possibility of Friends For Asia provding volunteers.