Buddhist Temples

   Luang Prabang, being the old capital and spiritual center of the country, is full of Wats, the term for Buddhist temples and monasteries. The town has a couple dozen Wats, there seem to be one on every street. The ornate buildings always have one large sitting Buddha and numerous small ones, always under a roof or in the main Temple. The grounds are manicured with flowering trees and bushes. These are active temples full of monks and praying locals. Non believers are permitted inside with proper dress ( Karen had to cover her shoulders and legs ) and no shoes. We were told to NEVER touch anything. 

   Monks are seen throughout town quietly walking in small groups. Most seem quite young and often mere boys. I only saw one older monk. On one hot day, we watched a group of young ones remove their tops and splash and play in the river in front of our hotel, their orange wet robes hanging from their waists, they acted and sounded like a bunch of kids. We were told not to touch or speak to monks. Every morning at 6AM, they proceed through town accepting alms, food given to them by the Buddhist locals, the monks give half of it the the city's  poorest. Although some tourists participate in this ritual, we were told not to as it is a Buddhist ceremony , not a tourist attraction.