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Every morning at dawn, in a tradition that goes back millennia, monks from all the wats go out to seek alms. They walk single file in order of age - oldest to youngest.

Along the roadside, women with baskets of cooked rice kneel and await them. As the monks approach they open their baskets. The women dole out a share of rice to each of them.

It all takes place in absolute silence. It's an almost eerie feeling. Within a half hour it's all over and the sun is up.

Alms