Sunday 10 November – Luang Prabang

Had a lazy morning walking around the city. Spent time just watching the activity on the Mekong river. It’s Sunday and a few things are closed but the river is as busy as ever. Ferries carry bikes, cars and horses across to the other side. Tourists are catching long boats up and down the river. It’s alive with humanity.

After lunch I climbed the summit of Phu Si. It’s in the centre of town via many steps and as well as providing spectacular views of the city, it is of deep significance to Buddhism. The top is splattered with statues, temples and icons of the Buddhism faith. It’s a popular place to visit at sunset but today is overcast as a result of a destructive typhoon off the coast of Vietnam. Here I have a priceless moment with a young student monk. The poor monks are constantly harassed by tourists wanting to take their photo. They are dressed in the most striking orange robes and easily stand out in a crowd. The students are so young and I wonder how they feel about all the public attention. A bunch of tourists leave and I have a quite time to have a chat. He speaks English well and likes to practice. Perfect. I like to speak it. Novice Oun is 15 years of age and he wants to train to become a monk. They aren’t encouraged to speak other languages so his English is a secret. He taught himself. He comes from a village in northern Laos. He asks me where I am from and I explain Australia. He stays ‘Queensland?’ and I’m surprised. He has a Lao friend in Queensland. He is a shy young man with a beautiful temperament and is obviously in a state of mind that is very special. Where he is mentally, I want to be but doubt if I will ever get there. Despite my material wealth, I am very jealous of him.