Luang Prabang, Laos 2016 — Carol & Scott On The Road

Jul 29

Jul 29 Luang Prabang, Laos 2016

As part of our visit to Cambodia, we spent a few days in Laos visiting the city of Luang Prabang. Laos is a landlocked country bordered by Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. Laos historic identity goes back to the kingdom of Lan Xang Hom Khao (Kingdom of a Million Elephants Under the White Parasol). After a period of internal conflict the country was broken into 3 kingdoms, but by 1893 it united into the current country of Laos.

Laos has a population of about 6.5 million people with very few homeless or beggars even with a per capita income of $1,100 per year with 1/3 of people living on $1.25 per day or less. Unfortunately, it is one of the most corrupt and poorest countries in the world, but the people were very friendly and were engaging with us and all members in the community.

Our guide explained that much of the Lao peoples’ life is guided through the Buddhist religion. Each community has a Monastery and Monks that are considered members of the family. The role and relationship between the people and Monks was very evident throughout our visit. We started our first full day in Luang Prabang joining the community members for the procession of the Monks through the community. Monks do not cook, so the community prepares food and other gifts for the Monks and donate to them in the early morning.

This provides more than what is needed for the Monks, so the extra is provided to those without the means or family to provide for their food or care. Before noon the members of the community deliver more food, money and other gifts to the Monastery.

We visited several Monasteries throughout Luang Prabang and observed how the Monks provide teachings to the people on Buddhism, help them make difficult decisions and support them in times of pain and need. We also learned that most citizens are Monks for a period of time. People are welcome to join, learn, pray and participate as Monks and then leave and go on to other life ambitions. Even those who commit to becoming Monks, only about 10% stay for a lifetime.

During our visit to Laos, we toured; The quaint old town and market of Luang Prabang, Monasteries, Temples, Schools for Monks, a silk and paper facility, a village moonshiner (spiked with scorpions & cobras), and the Royal Palace. Some of our activities included: Observing the daily monk activities such as their evening drumming and sunset chanting in the Temple, we had short hikes to see the natural beauty in the mountains, and we enjoyed a boat ride up the Mekong River to visit ancient caves which had hundreds of Buda placed throughout the caves.