|
Luang PrabangAug 11, 2007
|
|
| As we approached Luang Prabang in the afternoon, we stopped at some caves north of the city that are filled with Buddha statues and offerings. They had a great spiritual atmosphere. The second cave we explored by dim flashlight. As our boat approached Luang Prabang, we didn't even know it. The city is hard to see even though it lies right along the bank of the Mekong River. We disembarked and climbed stone steps to the first street of the town. Straight ahead of us was the town's most famous Wat that is decorated with shiny glass mosaic. The mosaic depicts all aspects of Lao life and history. Our group has clearly split into two camps, with the law school graduates going their own way. We older folks are the other group, and I'm enjoying it very much. There's a tax worker from England, a couple from Toronto, a couple from DC, and my funny roommate from Italy, Federico. Our attempts to communicate with Fedferico are the source aof endless amusement all around. Luang Praban has wonderful markets full of silk, hand-made paper, and jewelry. The food markets contain colorful pink Dragonfruit, Jack Fruit, delicious Mangostein, pineapple, mango, cucumber, and tomato. Because of the Frnech influence, Luang Prabang delighted us with fresh baguettes. Our group enjoyed a wonder French cafe two times during our three days here. One day we had a great trip to the most beautiful waterfall I've ever seen. I didn't take my camera that day, but I'll have pictures from the others after I get ohome. Luang Prabang is defined by a small steep mountain right in town, on top of which is of course a Wat. Luang Prabang was also full of active Wats with numerous monks. Every morning they walk the streets to collect food from the townspeople. Some streets seem full of lines of monks from various monasteries in their saffron robes, each group led by the senior monk. It is common to see the monks on the streets too and in the courtyards of their Wats. We even encountered a number swimming in the pools with us below the wterfall. |
Advertisement 
|
