Bamboo bushes are a very common site all throughout Laos. I chose bamboo as the background of this blog. This magnificent tree represents strength, endurance and resiliency. When I began to chronicle this journey I am amazed with influx of memory that comes back to me. And I don't believe it is just a random thought but each revelation serves a specific purpose as it revealed a window to the next memory that further add meaning and understanding.
One of the first act or symbol of purging by the new government, was the changing of the national flag. The Royal Lao regime flag was actually red with three white elephant in the middle. In fact the country of Lao was known as Lan Xang which means millions elephant. The elephant represents wisdom, grace, prosperity, power and nobility. Bamboo also represents prominent role in the history of Lao. There was a story or a legend once told to me that happened hundreds of years ago that brought the character the bamboo tree and the elephant together. The story is told as follow: In order to protect itself from neighboring kingdom, the king has order bamboo bushes to be planted around the kingdom ala the Great Wall of China. The plants proved to be a formidable defense against outside intruders. Until one day, when the army of the surrounding kingdom made a prudent move by shooting arrows that were made of gold into those bamboo bushes. The defending army became greedy and selfish. They failed to follow the king's order of defending the land at all cost. The army began to hack down the bamboo shoots in an attempt to retrieve those golden arrows. Consequently, army of men riding on the back of their elephants saw their opportunity. They were able to penetrate the land and conquered the kingdom.
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