Trip to discover the Buddhist Monks uses and their lives in Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang is not only attractive for its temples and the colorful one hundred tourist, the city Laotian traditions and culture to be admired and respected. (Photo 1)
At 5 and a half ago I got up and left the hotel, I walk towards the main street, ready to attend the "Tak Bat", the morning ceremony of Buddhist monks.
Along the river, the sound of water flowing slowly, the mist embraces heaven and earth, everything fades into an image by ill-defined contours. (Photo 2)
The streets are dark and deserted, shrouded in the fog that distorts the true appearance, the place is far from the atmosphere noisy and lively, lit during the day ... I see some shapes in the corners, women sat, soft voices, are the street vendors in waiting to begin their work bring his small wares, bananas and rice in wicker baskets, everything is carefully laid out on mats old and worn by time, lying on the sidewalk.
Some women just see me approach, handing the goods, showing me where to sit, where to wait for the rite begins.
The dark night clears slowly, a soft light allows me a glimpse of people, the first tourists, curious like me to participate in the ritual that Luang Prabang alarm clock every day, but locals prepared to confirm the monks because their presence important.
The sellers are now in motion, walking fast looking for new customers, offer fruits, rice, explaining how this is a tender for the monks.
The eye moves in search of the orange robes, the wait is silent, the sidewalks are covered by a series of worn couches. (Photo 3)
The first orange patches can be glimpsed distant messy first, then silence and fluid approach resulting in a single row compounds that, slowly, walks toward us. (Photo 4)
A host of shaved heads, bare feet and serious eyes there through the first few hands rose to donate some offers, the monks completed their uncovered containers of gold, which begin to open and close ... the movement is marked by prayers whispered by religious a litany which accompanies the entire ritual. (Photo 5)
The eyes and hands do not meet, can not read minds of the monks, the rituals of gesture shows how the celebration has now become an event repeated daily and known by all. (Photo 6)
For the first monks if they join others from other directions, other roads, a great people who parade and prays, among the large crowd involved and what parades are distinguished figures sad, emaciated and children dressed in rags, eyes pleading or seconded, sometimes accompanied by mothers or women of a unnatural thinness, in the hands keep blacks big bags, open them before the monks, the request changes to share with them the small alms ...
The vendors are ready and quick to provide fresh food to tourists and generous bidders, svelte walking from side to side of the road, appeared valuable in this ritual.
The street comes alive, the long line moves away and silent as' arrived, the monks turn into the streets, then disappear to the eye.
The crowd disperses, everyone leaves with their memory, taking up the threads of the day, which has already officially begun.
Return to the hotel ... traces the same path, but has already changed, the air is clear and the river is animated by many people, children playing in water, women doing the laundry, boat cruises, fishing ... all start to run again ... (Photo 7)
Simona Salini
Interesting news:
* The Tak Bat begins at about 6 every morning, you can participate from any part of town, just put on hold in one of the main street of Luang Prabang and await the arrival of the monks;
* Before the morning ritual is to guard some good deals to be given to the monks, fruit and rice, which can be bought from street vendors on the harbor, for those not willing to make any offer is well to observe with due respect;