Chasing Waterfalls. And Temples, Monks, Bears, Butterflies, Caves...

Mass tourism
I read something a few years ago, where the monks had asked tourists not to take part in the alms ceremonies as the cheap food (bought the night before) was making the monks sick...I suppose that's why they chuck the food out. I find it sad that the monks still have to go through the pretense of receiving alms :(

Effects of tourism
Tourism brings with it both positives, such as injecting capital into a local economy, and negatives, such as turning formerly dignified and spiritual affairs such as this alms giving into what you accurately describe as a human zoo. I wish that more people would be travellers rather than tourists. Going there to experience the genuine experience and not just to take posing pictures without ever even trying to get to know the real meaning behind what happens. I had a wonderful experience in Thailand a few years back when I stumbled into a wat and ended up participating in a ceremonial blessing by the monks performed before the abbot of the wat. I was the only non-local present and for a long time I just sat quietly in the corner observing it all until the locals themselves invited me to take part. It's a memory I will cherish my whole life.

Ah, the Memories!
A lovely blog to read, not only as it is written in your usual honest, informative and very interesting style, but also as it harks back to memories of my own trip to Luang Prabang five years ago. I remember the Kuang Si Falls well, including a very fun rope swing into the pool. Sorry to read about the massage experience, I'm glad you got a better masseuse towards the end.