Sunday, May 29, 2011

A unique experience


Hi, my name is Bo and I'm one of the new GVI volunteers in Luang Prabang.

Yesterday I had one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

As I was wandering around town, taking photos of Laos life, colonial architecture and various temples I ran into two novice monks that I had taught at an evening class earlier in the week. They were on their way to market and they wanted to know if I could join them. I did.

We took a tuk tuk to the market and I basically followed the two novices around as they went about their shopping. I ended up buying each of them an English textbook. They were extremely grateful and we rode back to their temple.

When we arrived I said goodbye assuming that I would head back to the Guest house and they would go about their business. However I was invited inside. They took me throughout the temple grounds and essentially gave me a private tour - something no tourist could ever experience.

I saw their sleeping quarters and was even allowed into the small building where they hit the drums every afternoon. It was about that time of the day so I watched for about 15 minutes as all of the novices (and I) congregated in this small building playing the late afternoon drum. We later went into the temple, took pictures in front of Buddha, and said our goodbyes.

It was a truly unique experience and I look forward to seeing my new friends in class tomorrow.
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