I decided to let the day emerge today. I didn’t have any set plans, I was open to anything. What transpired:

• Giving alms to monks in the morning
• Breakfast with a woman from Canada and a woman from England who I met on the street
• Exploring Wat Xieng Thong
• Being offered a boat ride on the Mekong
• Exploring temples on the other side of the river
• Given a friendship bracelet by a little girl at a temple, when I politely declined, she said, “for you, no money” and tied it to my wrist
• Exploring the “Buddha cave” — descending into utter darkness with a 10 year old as my guide
• Another boat ride on the Mekong
• Fresh grilled fish for lunch
• Meeting fellow Californians at another temple
• Hour long Laos massage
• Sunset at Wat Phu Si overlooking Luang Pragang
• Shopping at the night market
• A dinner so spicy I cried at the table
• Reading on my balcony under a cool tropical breeze