Hi All,
OAT Tours offers the opportunity to experience the local culture in a program called "Day in the Life".
We left the hotel at 5:30AM for the alms giving at Wat Nong Sikhounmaung.
We lined the sidewalk along with local residents to give portions of sticky rice to the monks as they walked by. This is how the community supports the monks every day.
Even the smallest ones.
Each of us then offered a prayer over a bag of vegetables that was then given to the monks. In appreciation the monks offered a blessing chant.
Sandy said it best,"that was awesome!"
Next stop was a small street cafe where we had a typical Lao coffee and breakfast.
Next stop was the market. We will be cooking lunch in a country village so each of us got a shopping assignment. We were given 4,000 kip (about 42 cents) to buy a vegetable called Hong Pum.
We asked a vegetable seller for Hong Pum and she pointed to the cilantro. We showed her the 4,000 kip and she stuffed a bag full of Hong Pum.
The fish sellers had some huge tilapia and catfish.
And, of course, there was rice.
All of this was such an engaging experience that we almost forgot that it was pouring (we are at the beginning of the monsoon season).
Love,
Sandy & Carl
Sandy & Carl
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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