Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is a lovely, old Lao village and, more recently, French-colonial town, nestled in a valley in the mountains of Northern Laos, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is filled with quaint cafes, art galleries and French restaurants, and the site of lovely sunsets. It also is the location of many Buddhist monasteries where young boys spend years, away from their families, learning to become monks.

I have read that traditional Lao people think a photograph steals a part of their soul and so, not wanting to be an obnoxious tourist with an invasive camera, I have not taken as many pictures I would like to have taken here. However, I hold in my mind many very powerful images of the people of Luang Prabang.

In particular, every morning at the crack of dawn dozens, if not hundreds of Buddhist monks and "novices," wearing saffron-colored robes and bare feet, walk through the streets collecting offerings of food from the community. These donations allow the young men to devote themselves to their education and spiritual practice. I was very privileged to witness this sacred ceremony and gain some understanding of the true meaning of community.