The Alms Ceremony, Luang Prabang, Laos

I had heard that one of the highlights of Luang Prabang was attending the alms ceremony, which is when hundreds of monks from over 30 monasteries walk down the streets collecting alms. It is an ancient, religious tradition and we heard a guide say those who give alms earn merit in the next life, especially significant for women as they are not allowed to become monks.

Seeing this ceremony was put on top of our to-see list, so we decided to get up bright and early on our first morning to experience it! We got to the main street close to one of the big monasteries at around 6 am when it was still dark outside and the only people on the streets were other tourists, locals lined up on the sidewalk preparing their foods baskets, and a handful of street vendors selling breakfast as well as sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf to give to the monks.

Once it got lighter people settled down and kneeled, taking their shoes off to wait for the monks. Shortly thereafter the monks appeared in the distance, all wearing their orange coloured robes (although there was a difference in the tone of the robes as well as the colour of the belts, depending on seniority I would think), and it seemed the oldest or most senior monks of each monastery were in the beginning of the line and the younger ones at the end. We were also kneeled down on the pavement next to the locals, and were lucky enough to get to hand out the rice we had purchased a moment earlier to the young monks who walked by.

There was a sign that asked people to stand at least three metres away from the procession and not to use flashes on their cameras - a request most people either didn't read or decided to ignore. Even though admittedly I was one of the many tourists there wanting a picture first hand (trying my best to be respectful of course), I again felt ashamed as it felt intrusive even being there, I felt as if we were disrupting something that is meant to be peaceful and sacred. In hindsight I wish I had not taken my camera with me and instead downloaded one from Google images where I am sure there will be plenty.

After their morning round the monks returned to their respective monasteries to begin their day.

I loved having seen and been part of this special ceremony, yet another memory to cherish for many years to come. With each new experience not only do I learn new things about other cultures and traditions, but I feel I can also learn to become a better, more respectful person. By observing others you become aware of certain behaviours which I hadn't thought of before but can be rude and disrespectful, not very positive characteristics to be associated with. Hopefully we can all live and learn - I know next time I won't be one of those annoying tourists showing a lens in your face. Illegal plagiarism of Google images is the way forward.