Powder to the people

The town was full of people this morning. Traffic was stopped on the main street, and a makeshift market was set up selling cheap stuff like tee shirts, flip flops, and food.

In the afternoon, when the backpackers came out with their Beer Lao and supersoakers, all the locals went across the river, where they built sand stupas, lit fireworks, and rubbed powder on everyone. Everyone, including me, was as white as a ghost.

Then everyone climbed the hill up to some temples, then the huge crowd trooped into the village across from Luang Phabang. Restaurants were set up everywhere, and kids danced to Thai music. It was quite the party.