So, here Hugh and I were sitting in a net cafe, when four young novice monks entered the shop. They were dressed in the usual saffron-colored robes and shaved heads and eyebrows. You see these monks commonly around South-East Asia, but Hugh and I are always amazed to see them doing “normal things” like buying DVDs or playing on the Internet. I know they’re not Amish and there’s no law against them using technology, it’s just interesting juxtaposition I guess.
Just moments ago, the two novices sitting next to us were smiling at us and giggling over something written in English. Hugh tried to extend a helping hand, but they just smiled at him. When they finally got up to leave, they walked over to us and asked Hugh where he was from and all that in perfect English. They were especially excited to hear Hugh was from Melbourne, since there’s apparently a Buddhist temple there and one of the monks friends had been there. Funny conversation.
Tags: anthropology!, General, Laos, travel
Did you yell “NOVICE!” at them?
What’s that supposed to mean? ;P
At the temple that I am nominally a member of, the Abbot is taking programming and web design courses at a local community college.
Man… laos sounds awesome!