Luang Prabang, Laos
The sound
of raining is mixing with the note of gong from Buddist temples, while the city
is preparing to rest. Here life unfolds with other times, other rhythms, a different
consistency. Small candles illuminate gardens and stone guardians of Buddha
temples, their faces lost in an ethereal smile.
Monks walk
around dressed in orange, their head shaved, their dark eyes speaking. Three
coats, three baskets for offerings, a belt, a razor, a toothpick, an umbrella:
they are not allowed to own anything more.
They walk
barefoot, quiet in the streets.
At dawn,
they receive offerings in a silent procession through the streets of the city.
In silence
they pray, bowing in front of high statues of Buddha.
You can see
them learning English in their monasteries, running under the rain or chatting
under a tree, smiling at curious foreigners. They work in their courtyards, make
jokes with children, getting angry with dogs, smoking a cigarette in a moment
of privacy.
On the
other side of the river there are restaurants and clubs, shops and bars with
live music, selling crepes and pancakes, coffees and Lao Beer. Laundry services
and wi-fi, Tour operators organising eco tours, trekking, kayaking, massages
and aromatherapy, cooking classes and elephant riding: the other side of a city
of temples, candles and gold dragons.
