Almsgiving

8 of the study abroaders woke up before 5 this morning to line the main street in Luang Prabang. We purchased sticky rice, fruits and crackers from local women to place in the monks' tin baskets.

When the monks arrived they walked slowly, in a very organized single file line. Hundreds of them pass by, opening their baskets for small donations from the townspeople and tourists who gather around well before they begin.

Almsgiving is reciprocated by the monks to even younger boys from impoverished families that carry plastic baskets the same size of their bodies. It is heartwarming to see the monks sacrifice their own daily rations for the well being of the struggling community.