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AROUND THE WORLD 3: Laos Celebrates Holiday

Luang Prabang, Laos, is celebrating Ock Pan Sa and Loy Krathong--the 18th and 19th of October. The two-day celebration will involve lights, a floats parade, and the launching of flower floats into the Mekong river.

Ock Pan Sa is the celebration of the end of Buddhist Lent, a three-month period when monks confine themselves to the temples. When the monks emerge from the temples, villagers line the streets to give alms. From silver bowls, the people donate food to the monks as children attempt to catch leftovers in their own smaller bowls.

Each village temple displays a large paper float with candles. Every building, including temples, shops and houses, are lit with lanterns and candles. Ock Pan Sa is also a time of many boat races.

Loy Krathong is celebrated the next day with boat floats gliding down the Mekong river.

--Written by Teresa Liao

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