I decided to go again to the Morning Alms Ceremony -- this time as an observer rather than a participant. I find it very moving -- the monks who walk & the faithful who cook and prepare the food. Yes, there is an element of tourism in a few places but off the main stretch there sit only the faithful, every day, with baskets of sticky rice they prepared to drop into the food bowls.
The "donors" give to everyone; one can not pick and choose if you happen to know the monk. Also, neighbors might support a monastery and provide additional food; so a more balanced diet can be obtained. Everything is completely donated by choice. And the Monks only "get" what is freely given.
The whole Ceremony is in complete silence & no eye contact is willingly made. When the final monk walks past, everyone gets up and goes on their way. And everyone is dressed in their finest. And this happens everyday at 6am. Imagine.
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| Hundreds of monks participate in the Alms Ceremony every morning. |
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| These women waited patiently for the monks to arrive. (The woman in blue was knitting.) The line comes a few at a time, usually in age order. I especially like the young boy who sat still with his hands together for the entire process. |
I also spent time speaking English with young people eager for "English Practice." I went twice for several hours and it was really fun to talk with them about Laos and answer questions about the US. One of the students was studying engineering and I got to help him practice with such everyday winners like: water purification plant and storm sewer. And to help him understand that engineers do not build to "control" earthquakes but to "withstand" them. So fun.
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| A local organization that writes, translates, distributes and generally promotes literacy. English practice is offered daily. |
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| Oh yummy |
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| I don't even want to know how cook these critters.... |
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