THE MYSTERY OF THE OLD TREE
Sabaidee Laos

I had been desperate to go to Japan which, although started with a determination not to know with the business of leave permit, I finally returned home scolded by the boss and told to finish the work that piled up. It's strange! Though I have been trying to finish my previous work and even some work that should have just been completed next week. But as you know, office work still piles up like a gift from hell. After struggling and overtime (without being paid) a week more to finish it, I was able to breathe a little relieved.

Eits, wait a minute, the next two months are a new year's holiday. Where am I going this time. A few minutes later I began exploring the virtual world, looking for unique and cheap tourist locations but if I could Buddhist nuances. Savings money yesterday to go to Japan. Haha.The choice eventually fell to a small country in ASEAN namely Laos. Not a spice, not bamboo. Laos is a Buddhist country that is still somewhat underdeveloped economic development and tourism. But the country is able to hypnotize many people and foreign tourists from various countries to come because of its thick Buddhist nuances and mystical rich cultural past. Luang Prabang, my daydream for a moment before suddenly a friend of mine patted me on the shoulder quite hard.

Anjritt!! my screams in my heart.

“Woi, Sen work! Work! This is even inet aja work. Wkwkwkwk...” joked Erik my friend.

“Ah elu, ordinary aja kalee.. From you it works googlegoogling face face ama boss mulu. Hehe...,” I'm joking at him. He just grumbled sourly.

“Eh, what do you want? Want to go abroad again? Follow dong... I had a passport a year ago but still empty,” pinta him.

“Ah emoh ah! The cave will go alone. You can also go by yourself. Better to know go alone,” said I pretended to refuse but inwardly wished him to come too. It's better to go with a known person, so if anything easy bray.

“Ah, come. You also usually ask to eat together at the office. Take Arvi as well yuk. Let the three be more exciting. We are also ‘kan age and religion. Surely he's interested tuhakin tawajakin to Laos,” once again he asked.

“Yes, you try to take him. If he wants, we go.Now the cave wants to find references and his tour first.You try to invite him, but remember he must want to come if not yes not so,” reply me. “Sip bro.”

The next morning, Erik came to my desk with a smiley face with Arvi. “Bro, this is me Ajakin Arvi and he wants. Hehe...” said my skinny friend like this dried seahorse.

“Eh yes, cave want dong follow. Laos, Luang Prabang, ah.” the Arvi began to daydream. “Eh, yes when do we leave?”

“Two months away, fitting new year holiday. You guys have no show, right?” my many.

“Sip, ok bro,” both reply in unison.

After that we also discussed at length to choose the tour package offered. This time we only take a tour package 4 days 3 nights. It's cheaper, Laos is not too much, and we mean we still have time to spend weekends at home while resting before the work starts again. The tour which was still two months away was already in the shadows in our heads.

Taraa..Finally the long-awaited day arrived as well. Me and Erik went to Indekos the Arvi while carrying a backpack containing our clothes. After that, we took a taxi to Soetta Airport which was not until when the renovation was completed. Arriving at the international departure terminal, we had been awaited by the tour guide and he started collecting our passports and other necessary papers. A few moments later he left us with a group who participated in a tour package Simply Beautiful Laos. We totaled 22 people. The guide finally arrived and handed out our PP plane tickets. After an hour and a half later, we started boarding into the body of an iron bird called a garuda. There was nothing special about the plane trip this time for me, but for my two friends this was their first time boarding an international flight. Deg-degan certainly and very excited they said.

Arriving in the city of Vientiane, the capital of Laos that still seems not much touched by technological advances, we were escorted to a 3-star hotel. Since the three of us were friends, it was fitting that we get the same room. In the room there are 3 beds size 110x200 so fit each can one. We only spent 1 night in this city because the main tourist destination of Laos is Luang Prabang which he said offers better tourist facilities than the capital. Ahead of dinner with typical Laotian cuisine, we discussed going around to see the beauty of this city night for a moment.

So finished dinner we also went to see some of the colonial heritage buildings in Indochina. We also had a photo at Patuxai Gate that resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and at the temple complex Pha That Luang. Time has shown at over 10 p.m. We have to go back to the hotel because tomorrow morning we will continue the journey to Luang Prabang. Although we were all amazed by the new atmosphere that impressed the old school, Erik seemed not too comfortable with the poverty that existed. Sometimes he commented on the number of street children there, which is exactly like in Jakarta. He was upset by a sight like this.

Tomorrow we will head to Luang Prabang. A city that is the main focus of tourism in Laos. It is also a UNESCO world heritage city. We believe this city is a must visit. Along the way we were treated to the jungle and river like the adventure of Indiana Jones. We finally arrived in Luang Prabang.

The ancient city of Luang Prabang is the cultural heart of Laos and is one of the most preserved ancient cities in Southeast Asia. There are 34 Buddhist temples and several historic buildings in colonial and Chinese architectural styles. The Mekong River became the lifeblood of trade and transportation in the city. There are also those who trade on boats similar to the floating market in Banjarmasin. We are very happy to visit the Buddhist temples here which feel a blend of Chinese and Thai styles. Moreover, Erik, he proudly told us about the Buddhist cultures and symbols. He did enjoy discussing the Dharma and often argued with many dharmaduta-dharmaduta in the monastery near our indekos. While taking pictures here and there, it did not feel like we spent the second day just like that.

A big event happens tomorrow. Starting with the three of us about to go for a short walk outside the hotel before 9 pm, we went to another tourist spot in Luang Prabang. In front of the hotel, we were immediately mobbed by many small children of miniature peddlers and small statues. Somewhat uncomfortable indeed, but I and Arvi can understand considering the new Laos economy is starting to develop. But not with Erik. He felt annoyed and very uncomfortable and almost snapped at a determined child trying to sell his wares. “Propar Rik! Be patient! Don't be so quick to get emotional. Their kasian is still a kid and his name is also a business,” says I.

“Yeah, right maybe because they don't know we refused.

We don't speak Lao to them,” Arvi said.

Suddenly upset or why, Erik fell quite hard. We tried to help him stand up again. Erik was still surly. We finally decided to go back to the hotel.

Throughout our tour, Erik continued to grumble about the children. It even mentions street children in Jakarta. We are tired of hearing it, but yes. At 5pm we arrived back at the hotel. We took a short break and got ready for dinner. That's when Erik with the fog looking for the two of us who had gone first to the restaurant below.“Uh, bro. Cave passport gone!”

“What??!” reply we were surprised. “It's not in your little passport bag?”

“Yes, the small bag of caves is also missing. Cave looking from earlier but still not found. Mampus nih cave. Could not go home Indo dong.”

Because of the panic we both became a bit panicked. We looked for our tour guide and explained the issue. Asked about where it fell, we did not know until finally Arvi remembered that this morning we had time to market near the hotel. Whether stolen or fallen. But our tour guide is quite experienced and level-headed. He immediately contacted the hotel.

After trying to calm Erik down, the tour guide came with a hotel attendant. The officer asked

to us, “Is this your passport Sir? Are your name is Erik Boy?”

“Ah, yes. That is me,” replied Erik.

He immediately gave the passport and small bag to Erik to check. We are also glad not to be trapped.

“Actually, around 3pm three street children came here and gave it to our staff. They said that they found it on the street at the market near our hotel and it may belong to one of our guests. Fortunately it’s true. If no one claims this passport, I will contact the embassy at Vientiane tomorrow morning. Well then, please enjoy your night and try not to lose any of your belongings again.” The officer also kindly withdrew. Our tour guide also finally asked us to eat dinner immediately and get ready for the return tomorrow morning.

But Erik's face was red. Not because of anger or anything. When we asked him it was because he was ashamed. He was ashamed to have spied on the little ones this morning.Suddenly Arvi said to us that this is similar to one of the stories in Dhammapada Atthakatha. The story is about an elder monk named Upananda. He was a monk who was good at preaching but unfortunately rarely practiced his sermons.

The Buddha also rebuked the monk Upananda with the following verse:

Should first

establish yourself in speed, then guide others.

Let not the wise man be dirty.

The next morning, before leaving the hotel and the country, we took the time to go to the market near the hotel where we passed by accompanied by the guide. We found children who were trading there. After seeing us they came and asked in Lao translated by our guide. It turned out that they were the ones who found Erik's passport bag that fell yesterday. Erik humbly apologized for almost snapping at one of them. He also bought a replica of the temple as we had bought it before. Those who are still innocent are certainly happy to have their merchandise purchased. They said thank you, thank you Sir to Erik even though Erik was holding back tears because he should be the one who thanked them a lot.

Well, finally at 6pm we arrived at Arvi's boarding house. Before Erik and I went home to our respective boarding houses, we told him about the incredible moments and photos of our trip. This trip provides valuable lessons for us, to always be vigilant and vigilant especially important items on every trip abroad but also to be humble and wise in addressing various phenomena of life. Erik realized his mistake all along and was determined to be more vigilant in acting and speaking. Since then we always reminisce back to this story when one of us nagged or acted annoyingly. My travel record this time. See you in my next travel log. Sabaidee Laos!!!