Day 3, Luang Probang, Laos, January 21, 2014
Luang Probang, Laos
This morning
most of the group got up early to leave at 5:30 to give alms to the monks. I
stayed in bed a little longer where I was toasty warm. Paul said that our group
sat and the monks walked by to accept the rice that was prepackaged for them.
They then went to the market and each in our group was given the name of
something to buy for our lunch. The group then went to have coffee and pastries
while the rest of us had breakfast at the hotel. Meanwhile, Erika, our Green
Valley neighbor traveling with us, had been able to arrange for a trip to an
elephant camp where she could take an hour-long ride. She was very excited
about that.
We were
traveling with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) which is the adventure part of
Grand Circle Travel. When their travelers visit villages and schools, they want
them to help by making contributions. Therefore, Grand Circle Foundation was
formed. The foundation looks for special schools and villages to help and they
choose projects that will fit the local needs.
Today we
visited a Hmong village that GCF has been supporting. Over the years they have
built a water pipe for fresh water from the mountain, cement sidewalks to the
houses for the rainy season, and toilets. For the school they have provided
fans for the hot season, fences, playground equipment, a room to teach weaving
and more toilets.
After a walk
through the village and had some shopping opportunities, we went to the school
where we were met by a lot of small children, ages 5-7. First the kids sang to
us and then each one came running to us, each grabbed one of our hands and
walked us into the school. We all sat and they sang to us, did some reading and
math, and then we sang some songs to them. 
Next we went
to the Shaman's house where he talked to us via translation by our guide, and
we had a chance to ask questions. The last stop was for lunch at the village
chief's house. Part of the food came from the ingredients purchased in the
morning. We had tempura and fried rice with vegetables as appetizers, then
sticky rice, noodles, steamed pork and fruit for desert. It was very good but
way too much to finish. 
From the
village we drove another half hour to see the Koang Si Waterfall. It was quite
a walk to the viewpoint, but worth it. I practiced taking pictures with milky
water and stop-motion water. Glad I could still figure that out. Some people
were swimming in the icy cold water.
Back at the
hotel we had some time before dinner on our own. We went with a small group to
a French Restaurant.
That's it for now. Grace and Paul
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