On our final day in Laos, we started our morning with a 5 AM wake-up call. At sunrise, Buddhist monks leave the monastery in Luang Prabang for a ceremony called Tak Bat that occurs each day. Locals line the streets to give alms to the monks, which usually means offering cooked rice, crackers, bananas or money.
When we arrived at the center of town, a nice local helped us find a place on the side of the street and provided food we could give. In recent years, tourists who are rather disrespectful (for example, taking pictures in the monks' faces) have turned the ceremony into a bit of a spectacle. However, I found that it was actually very peaceful and while tourists did take pictures, they were on their best behavior. It truly was a unique experience as these young monks proceeded and silence filled the busy street.
Once the ceremony ended about 30 minutes later, we climbed more than 300 steps to the top of Mount Phousi for an amazing view of the entire surrounding area. In my final hours in Laos, I was reminded how incredible this country had been for me the past few days. Swimming in waterfalls, participating in a sacred religious and cultural experience, interacting with some of the friendliest people I've ever met -- all things I'll never forget thanks to Luang Prabang.
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