We went to a Laos wedding! Here guests do not give gifts, they give money.
The bride and groom offer every guest a shot of whiskey...
The main temple in Luang Prabang:
This is a statue of the last king of Laos, whose rule ended in 1975 amid political turmoil. All the Laos people I met believe that he was "sent abroad." In fact, he was interred in a political prisoner camp and died some years later...
My friend Douk runs a lovely guest house. here is is hanging out in front of the house he was born in. Most Lao people do not venture far from their families.
When boys go away to become monks (know as novices) the community makes these beds for them and fills them with all the things a boy needs for his new life at the temple: a fan, rice cooker, bedding, cushions, bowls, money and much more.
Families come together and spend weeks constructing and decorating these beds.
When the beds are finished, they celebrate with traditional music.
My teaching friend Kerri buys a sweet coconut dumpling...
We swung by a local carnival. Here a group of young monks play darts...
No comments:
Post a Comment