LUANG PRABANG, LAOS – One of the most colorful festivals in Southeast Asia takes place each fall at the October full moon.
Continue reading “Boun Awk Phansa, the Candlelight Parade (video)”
Boun Awk Phansa, the Candlelight Parade (video)
Party at the pool, Vietnamese style
DA NANG, VIET NAM – It all started with a text message from our friend Linda. “Are you coming to the party at the pool?”
Party at the pool? “Oh yeah, I vaguely remember something about a year-end New Year’s party at the My An Sport Center on the 11th. Is that tonight?” I asked.
Boun Awk Phansa in Luang Prabang, Laos (video)
LUANG PRABANG, LAOS – Each fall, at the October full moon, the Lao people celebrate Boun Awk Phansa.
The festival marks the end of the three months of Buddhist Lent, a period of meditation, learning and retreat during the height of the rainy season.
Sometimes referred to as the Festival of Lights, the boun (or festival) is held on the 15th day of the 11th month of the lunar calendar.
Continue reading “Boun Awk Phansa in Luang Prabang, Laos (video)”
Our Year of Living in Viet Nam
DA NANG, VIET NAM – “Banh Bao! Banh Bao!” A pre-recorded shout echoes off the neighboring buildings as the motorcycle food peddler putt-putts down the street. Flames burst from the back of his side-saddle warming oven. On top of the oven is a glass case filled with warm, yummy steamed buns.
For a foreigner from a Western country, seeing open flames from a motorcycle-mounted wood-fired oven… Well, that is just plain crazy!
But it’s just another typical everyday occurrence in this Vietnamese city.
A Monk’s Life in Laos (Watch the video)
LUANG PRABANG, LAOS – If you’ve spent any time living or traveling around Southeast Asia, you’ve no doubt seen them. With their shaved heads and brilliant orange robes, they always stand out from the crowd.
I’m talking, of course, about the Buddhist monks in their colorful saffron robes.
Continue reading “A Monk’s Life in Laos (Watch the video)”