I had most of the day to myself today, so I did a bit of wandering. I was on a hunt for some loose fitting pants that went all the way to my ankles for Laos (high malaria area) and for something special that caught my eye yesterday.
I ended up wandering up and down the streets, stopping occasionally to sit and pass the time in the shade. Like the Middle East, a lot of things are closed during the middle of the day because who wants to be wandering around in the 90 degree heat looking for pants? Oh wait...me...
I did find pants and then I went to see the temples that I saw only from afar yesterday. I was thinking I wasn't going to get to see them today if I didn't find pants as I wanted to be appropriately dressed.
Despite the fact that I was sweating away half my body weight in my long sleeves and long pants, I was happy to not be getting the disappointed looks from the monks like other blissfully unaware tourists were getting. Short shorts and tube tops were everywhere, as were smacking gum and loud conversations right behind people who were there to meditate or pray.
There were so many temples to visit, and all of them were extraordinarily beautiful. It also surprised me that when I entered one temple and came out the other side, there were at least two others behind that one. The rock temple was probably my favorite, the stairs were blocked off but the carved elephants were amazing and one each of the four sides there was a giant golden Buddha sitting calmly looking out over the people below.
In one of the temples I came upon this scene, I walked around the temple as quietly as I could, suddenly very aware of how loud my breathing was. It took me about fifteen minutes to realize that this wasn't a real person but a very convincing statue. After laughing at myself I snapped a picture and left a donation, whoever made this needs to be recognized!
Later on there was more wandering where I found the perfect gift for that big brother of mine. Then dinner and back to the hostel.
Tomorrow bright and early we get picked up by the bus that will take us to the boat. We sail for three days to Luang Prabang in Laos.
Sail away!
Julianne
I ended up wandering up and down the streets, stopping occasionally to sit and pass the time in the shade. Like the Middle East, a lot of things are closed during the middle of the day because who wants to be wandering around in the 90 degree heat looking for pants? Oh wait...me...
This puppy melted a bit
Despite the fact that I was sweating away half my body weight in my long sleeves and long pants, I was happy to not be getting the disappointed looks from the monks like other blissfully unaware tourists were getting. Short shorts and tube tops were everywhere, as were smacking gum and loud conversations right behind people who were there to meditate or pray.
In one of the temples I came upon this scene, I walked around the temple as quietly as I could, suddenly very aware of how loud my breathing was. It took me about fifteen minutes to realize that this wasn't a real person but a very convincing statue. After laughing at myself I snapped a picture and left a donation, whoever made this needs to be recognized!
Later on there was more wandering where I found the perfect gift for that big brother of mine. Then dinner and back to the hostel.
Tomorrow bright and early we get picked up by the bus that will take us to the boat. We sail for three days to Luang Prabang in Laos.
Sail away!
Julianne
Your pictures are wonderful as always. Your writing is also beautifully laid out for easy comprehension of your meaning, very humorous. I love this blog.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are doing this blog. Very interesting to have the story with the picture. Your Mom is right your pictures are terrific. You either have that talent for great pictures or not. I am a NOT. Happy sailing.
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