We next travelled to Vientiane in Laos, meeting up as planned with our friend Sharon. We only stayed a couple of nights in Vientiane. The most interesting event was visiting a temple where a senior Monk recently passed away. We observed as the local community brought food to the Monks (which is the usual situation, as the Monks are supported and part of the local community), as a way to honor the deceased monk as well as their ancestors.
We had arranged a trek in the countryside in Laos. As we headed towards the trailhead, we passed farmers and villagers doing their daily work.
The 8.5 mile trek in the Laotian countryside was arduous. The waterfall at the end of the trek was unique, as was the Hmong village where we began the hike. We hired a local guide to walk with us. He appreciated that I asked the villagers if I could photograph them…and that I showed the photo with each person.
Here was a “rat catcher” we met on the trail, proudly showing us the tool he uses to catch the rats.
When we reached the waterfall, it reminded me of other places we have travelled to. As always, we felt relieved and glad to have successfully made the hike. It was hot, and we wore insect repellant jackets to keep the mosquitoes away, which made it hotter. It was a bit discouraging that when we reached the end of the hike, the place was inundated with hundreds of tourists who had been driven there! Well, we did get in a lot of exercise! And we were alone on the trail, so we avoided the mob scene until the end.
The highlight for me in Laos was in Lubang Prabang where we woke before dawn to observe the monks walk in procession down the streets. They do this every morning to receive their daily food. As we were waiting for the monks, 3 monks exited from a van in front of our hotel. They greeted us and asked us where we were from. They turned to one monk, to introduce us, as he was from Austin, Texas!
These monks sat down to pray, while waiting for the procession. They too offered food and a blessing to the local monk novices (novices are basically young monks in training!). I very much appreciated how well the monks are integrated into the community. They are both supported by the locals and interact with them.
In Luang Prabang, we also took a cooking class, after visiting the local food market to learn about the vegetables and meat we would be preparing. This was a different experience: slicing and stuffing lemongrass with ground chicken, rolling fish marinated in herbs in a banana leaf, and steaming rice over a basket heated by charcoal.
