Luang Prabang
Posted by Stuart at 09:02 AM on October 21, 2002The bass drums started pounding all over Luang Prabang at 4 AM this morning, waking up the town and telling it to prepare for the monk procession. By the time Rupert and I stumbled out of the guest house at 6 AM the townspeople had already set themselves up on the sidewalks, sitting on mats with bowls of sticky rice and chicken wrapped in leaves in front of them. Soon, the monks (mostly teenaged novices) appeared walking single-file down the street accepting the food that was given to them. It was quite impressive to see the long line of boys with shaved heads and long flowing orange robes solemnly collecting their food for the day.
We have spent the last couple of days in charming Luang Prabang, Laos. The small town is situated on the banks of the Mekong River 450 KM north of the Thai border. The entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site partly because of the many buddhist temples and partly because of the French colonial architecture that remains from the early 20th century. We have spent our time here visiting the temples, visiting with the locals, and enjoying the scenery. Unfortunately, though, we can't stay here forever; we fly back to Vientiane this afternoon.
At the same time we are excited to get back to Vientiane. The annual boat races on the Mekong take place tomorrow and the locals have promised a good time at the festival.
Yes, the monk procession is every morning at 6 AM. Every day they walk around town and collect the food that they will eat for that day.
I found out later that the drums at 4 AM only happen 8 times a month: the 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th days of the waxing and waning moons.
UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Their website has a list of all of the World Heritage Sites. The program is a big deal, especially in developing countries. In Luang Prabang, for example, the UN works with the local government and sets all of the rules having to do with new development.
The boat races were very fun. I'll upload some pics soon.
Whats does the UNESCO do?
Donishia, according to the UNESCO website, the organization job is "Protecting natural and cultural properties of outstanding universal value against the threat of damage in a rapidly developing world."
In other words, they work with local governments to make sure that historic places are protected from modern development. A very worthy goal, I think.
Check out the website above for more information.
Is the monk procession every morning?
Once again, I show my ignorance . . . what does UNESCO stand for?
How were the boat races?
Can I think of another question?
Love you!!