When I think of Laos, I do not think of monks and temples, I think of people riding two-wheelers with an open umbrella in a hand.
Wherever you go in Luang Prabang, you see girls and women riding scooters, motorbikes, and bicycles with open umbrellas in hands. No matter what the weather, in sunny, rainy and cloudy days nobody wears a safety helmet while riding, but almost everybody has an open umbrella… Why? I don’t know. I guess it has become a chic item of the female “biker’s outfit” in Luang Prabang.
A mental picture of a girl on a scooter with an open umbrella in a hand had been imprinted in my head during five days stay in Luang Prabang, Laos. I have even coined a name for it – Lao Umbrella Girl. Like the little Morton Salt Umbrella Girl, the graphic representation of Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter could be a perfect advertisement for the City of Luang Prabang ;)
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My Graphic Representation of Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Click on image to see another version
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter. Luang Prabang, Laos
Wow, I like the one of the lady on the pink bike, umbrella in one hand, and a dog in the basket. That must be difficult to maneuver!
Audrey | That Backpacker recently posted..When I Think of Germany…
The one with a dog is my favorite too.
Memographer recently posted..Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter
Ha! I love that you took so many photos! Funny that I can’t remember seeing this when I visited Luang Prabang.
Lauren recently posted..A Hater of Ruins Explores Ephesus
Oh yes, Lauren, I take a lot of photos :) I bring home thousands from each trip. When I plan my itinerary I create a list of photo subjects/ideas I should work on. So when I hunt for a “subject title shot” I end up with many pics of that subject. However, I don’t think I got a perfect shot of Lao Umbrella Girl. The one with a dog could be the closest to perfection :)
Thanks for stopping by!
Memographer recently posted..Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter
Nice photos! I think they use the umbrellas to protect their skin from the sun in all types of weather, since white skin is considered beautiful. They make the umbrella holding look so much easier than it is! I’ve tried to ride a scooter while holding one during the rain, and it always ends up flying back in my face.
Jessica recently posted..Mallorca: Beyond the Beach
I guess so too. Regarding the riding, it is a skill. One has to feel the speed and angle to keep umbrella open. Thanks for stopping by, Jessica!
memographer recently posted..Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter
This has to be the largest collection of “Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter” photos in existence. The second largest collection is some blog with a picture of a dog that randomly had an Umbrella Girl drive by in the background.
And ironically, if it were raining, all the umbrellas would likely disappear.
Daniel McBane recently posted..How to Waste a Good Typhoon
Yes, Daniel, this is the largest collection of “Lao Umbrella Girl on Scooter” photos in existence :) If not, I have about as many photos to add. And, apparently, I have some taken during the rain… umbrellas never disappear :)
Memographer recently posted..Sapa Vietnam and its tribes (Part 2)
What a unique collection of photos!
Colleen Brynn recently posted..How Going To School Has Been Like Traveling (And Why You Should Try It)
That’s true. I haven’t seen that many umbrellas anywhere else :)