Day 227 - Novice Monks...

...Are still teenage boys.

Today we decided to do a walking tour of Luang Prabang. Our first stop was the Wat right behind our guesthouse (the one whose monks we give oranges to each morning). While it did have some lovely old buildings, the best part were the novice monks living there. They lolled about studying or chatting, or goofing around in most un monk-like ways. One little monk was eating some fruit and hurled the peel at his friend. The other little monk promtly put him in a headlock and started pummling his back. Soundly proving that little monks are still teenage boys.


After all that excitement we thought it best to visit the more staid entertainment of Luang Prabang's oldest Wat, Wat Wisunalat. The Wat was nice, but no more exciting than others we've seen, but the stupa on its grounds is commonly known as 'The Watermelon Stupa'. I suspect there may have been some opium involved in that naming - though is quite plump and round like a fat watermelon. Personally I think it looks more like a bosom, but could probably get in trouble for saying so.

We continued on our walk along the smaller river flanking the city. Sounds of laughter coming from the water made us pause. A group of monks in their saffron robes were taking turns with a group of local boys in floating (and dunking each other, and tossing each other off of) a tire inner tube. I've heard that the little monks also like to practice Kung-fu (also forbidden), but that the older monks pretend not to know about it.

We tried to go to the Royal Palace museum, but it was closed. The Wat on the grounds (yes, more Wat) was open, and as gilded as one would expect a royal Wat to be.

Across the street we climbed Pu Si Hill where Wat Chomsi which offers commanding views over the city and surrounding countryside. One building was being re-painted by team of novice monks. As expected from a teenage boy paint team, they were getting nearly as much paint on each other and their robes as on the walls of the building.

Cultural duty done, we got some tasty snacks from the local street vendors, bought oranges for tomorow's alms, and picked up a few more presents from the night market.