Ancient Kingdoms

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We gave alms (sticky rice) to the monks this morning beginning in the dark around 5:45a.m. and then shopped in the local market as we each searched for unfamiliar food & spices for today's lunch. The rest of the day was a traditional experience with OAT where you spend "a day in the life"........we were in Tin Keo Village visiting the elementary school. In addition, village residents welcomed us into their homes and we had a village tour along with extended conversations with the Lao Chief and the Hmong Tribe Shaman. Most of us purchased crafts from the community co-op that has been set up to help the women learn a trade and to sell their artwork to earn extra money for their family. There are two groups of people who live in this village of 74 families and 416 people. The Lao moved here in 1999 and then the Hmong Tribe were moved from their mountain homes into the village in 2006. This is a governmental effort to help them receive an education and stop growing poppies for the drug trade, which is a huge problem. The two groups of people live on opposite sides of the village. The children attend the same school and all get along fine.

One of the villagers we enjoyed visiting is a Blacksmith. He is 59 years old and was a soldier in the war. During the war many Hmong tribal members were recruited by our CIA to fight both North Vietnamese and Laotian Communists. Many had to flee to refugee camps and hundreds of thousands now live in the U.S. This gentleman is allowed to live in Laos because he pledged allegiance to the Communist Party.

The Hmong Shaman has 12 children and 2 wives but the other wife lives elsewhere along with her 10 children. Both he and his resident wife were extremely gracious. They both completed H.S. and she works at the community co-op where I purchased a small crocheted quilt from her.

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Photos

Blacksmith
59 year old grandpa --- makes knives.

Monk walk.
Early each morning, 700+ monks in this city collect alms with head bowed. Ray is scooping rice into their bowls. They eat 2x/day and give away left-overs.

Diane giving alms.
We wore a sash over our left shoulder, kept our rice covered to keep it warm. No eye contact nor can women touch a monk, not even their robe.

Morning market
Jelled blood used for cooking and flavoring. They also sold liquid blood which many drink.

Village children
Greeting us as we pass.

School visits are always special.
Saunalee is very bright and knows many English words. She read several books to me and loved talking about snow.

Village family
We took a Polaroid picture and gave Beanie Babies out.

Hmong Shaman & wife.
A Shaman is chosen by the spirits. Once chosen, he learns from another shaman everything he knows. Most people at least start their cures through him.

Bamboo bridge
Walking across a stream to get to a farmhouse which was an added discovery. The farm is organic and beautiful crops.

Teaching the class.......
Telling the students about the huge amount of snow back home.

Cooking lunch.
We helped to cook part of our lunch using ingredients we discovered at the market that morning.

Comments

[Mary Grigware]

In some ways I envy you, but it is a long way from home ! Seems to be very beautiful and colorful. I realy enjoy the pictures. I doubt I would eat the blood, much less drink it. Did you ?

[BrendaH]

blood
No, did not eat or drink the blood. How cold is it there? How much snow?