It was interesting hearing your thoughts on my post about (not) giving alms in Luang Prabang. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one horrified by paparazzi-like tourists.
This little story didn’t seem to fit in that post, but it still makes me chuckle so I’ll share it now.
While at the ceremony we also enjoyed people watching a family with two boys (maybe 5 and 7?). Not only were the boys running around and fighting with each other, they were also going after their guide. The guide was polite but you could tell he was ready for the onslaught to stop. It was not play fighting people. Eventually each parent picked a child to quickly chastise. Then, the monks came. The boys ceremoniously dropped a few bills into the offering bowls while their mother beamed with pride… from behind her camera… that was in the monk’s face. I’m sure traveling with kids is tricky but it was comical to watch the precursor to the photo op that portrays the kids as thoughtful mini-Buddhists.
Sidenote: Guidelines we read about alms giving said that if you want a photo of yourself giving alms, you’re not participating for the right reasons and probably shouldn’t.
So in an effort to do more than just complain I thought I’d post some of the helpful information we found while in Luang Prabang, and highlight the especially interesting bits.
1. “Luang Prabang is not Ibiza! Nor is it Vang Vieng…” – You’d think it would be obvious.
2. “Always dress modestly in the city.” – I’m a pro at modest dress now and it drives me nuts to see people dressed inappropriately. It’s really not difficult to cover your shoulders, thighs, and decolletage.
3. “…this is not Thailand; there is no sex industry and you can only legally have sex with a local if you marry them.” – This line really stood out to me. I sometimes forget that some countries (like the one I’ve been living in) legislate sex to a greater extent than others. Plus, they totally called out Thailand!
4. “Don’t treat the monks like monkeys in a zoo.” – Well said.
Love the advice signs. They seem so obvious but it’s good to have blatant reminders up for people who might not realise what they’re doing!!
I love signs like these! But also, it makes you wonder what kind of people have been going through LP if they have to put up signs like this (then again, I guess you got a good taste of that at the alms-giving ceremony!).
And your recommendation about a lengthy stay in LP is duly noted. I know I’m not supposed to be planning, but on my super flexible, always open to changing it Excel spreadsheet for Laos, I’ve tentatively slated LP for 5 days…
I loved Utopia’s Do & Don’t – I also took a photo of it! I think they should just print it in all of the (Lao) guide books
I love do & don’t signs too! And huge props for you to being able to do the modesty thing… I always try to keep my beachwear at the beach out of respect for local cultures but I have a thyroid issue that makes me feel extra-warm, and in hot countries I really struggle with keeping covered up!
Hehe, love the Excel sheet. I think 5 days is a perfect amount of time. There was so much more I wanted to do.
I agreed! I looked for it on their website but no luck.
Living in the Middle East gave me good practice. 😉
Exactly. I read them over and felt relieved that I hadn’t accidentally done something offensive prior to seeing the list (despite it being mostly common sense!).
Three cheers for “always dress modestly”!! After living in the ME I’m sure most of us will never manage scandalous again! Also, “drugs give you death” very nicely put
I think I’ll have to slowly work up to exposing my body parts when I go home. Maybe start with the knees and work up to the shoulders? 😉
Um… but remaining clothed in between.