the sun has risen

Luang Prabang, Laos

the sun has risen
and the rustle of saffron robes
up and down the street

This is Sai Bat––morning alms. Each morning in Luang Prabnag (Laos), just after dawn, hundreds of saffron-robed monks depart from their monasteries, walking in a slow procession through the city to collect alms at the morning alms-giving ceremony, so simple yet so spiritual. Sai Bat is one of the greatest things I've ever experienced.