We are up at 6 AM...we are to witness and participate in the distribution of alms to the Buddhist monks. Each morning the drums tool about 6;30 AM calling the monks to beg for their daily meal. Luang Prabang (LB) is home to a approximately 30 Buddhist monasteries...1000s of monks descend on the streets of LB with their large pots (approx 2 quarts in size) ... people on their knees line the street with their offerings which is primarily sticky rice .... tourist can purchase sticky rice pots and other offering from street vendors who prowl the streets and lanes.
I purchase a large sticky rice pot, select my street location with others, kneel on a mat and wait....here they come...one after another as I roll each small sticky rice donation in my clean hands and drop it into their pot....they come too quickly and I miss contributing to one or two monks...wheeew...I still have 1/2 of my rice left...wait here comes another group of about 25 - 30 monks....dig into my basket, roll a sticky rice ball, deposit it a monk's pot, repeat, repeat...100s of other people are doing the same thing in contributing to the monks' welfare. My basket is empty and I return it to the vendor.
The entire alms process/ceremony is over in 1/2 hour. The monks retire to their individual monastery and eat a portion of their food which is mainly sticky rice...they eat once again between 11- noon and nothing else until the next morning...they are allowed to consume liquids throughout the day.
Next we visit the morning market where the locals and restaurants buy everything for their dinner table... meats, fish, vegetables, spices....100s of vendors and 1000s of customers...the aromas and activity are a scene to remember..
Breakfast...back to the bungalows, final packing and off to the Luang Prabang airport to catch our 1:30 PM flight to Vientiane flying on Lao Air.
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