The Night Market in Luang Prabang (and Why You Should Always Pack Benadryl)

One of the fun, magical things about staying in Luang Prabang in Laos is visiting the Night Market. In the evening a section of the main road through town, Sisavangvong (try saying that five times fast!) closes to traffic and local traders set up a market in the street.  They lay down mats on the ground to spread out their wares and set up tent awnings over them with strings of bulbs to light everything up.

The market is geared toward selling to tourists and is full of Hmong handicrafts. The vendors bargain over prices, but are friendly and not aggressive about making a sale. They are also very adept at the exchange rates in a variety of currencies and I saw trades happening in US dollars and Thai Baht in addition to Lao Kip. The market is full of wonderful paintings, carvings and lanterns but the hand appliquéd items are really stunning. The stitches are so tiny that they are almost invisible. The detail work is just amazing with beautifully intricate patterns. The prices are so fabulous that I bought several pillow covers and a duvet cover for myself and some aprons for Christmas gifts.  I also couldn't resist buying a small painting, a lantern and a decidedly non-handicraft item, a Beer Lao t-shirt.

I enjoyed wandering around the market and even though I had already purchased my souvenirs on a previous night (so many so that I actually had to mail a small box home!) I decided on my last night in Luang Prabang to go to the market again after dinner. The little place that I was staying was just a few yards down the street from the beginning of the market. Just as I walked out the door and was about the enter the row of tents something flew at my face. I instinctively shut my eyes and then felt a sharp searing pain right below my left eye.

I quickly rushed back to my room and sure enough a large stinger was protruding from my face less than a half inch below my eye. I was so lucky that it hadn't actually hit my eye and was instead just below. I grabbed my tweezers and pulled it out but the spot had already ballooned into a lump the size of a walnut and was slightly obstructing my vision. I took a can of soda out of the mini fridge and pressed it against my face. The cold felt wonderful and helped the swelling. I also had some Benadryl with me and taking that helped as well. By the time I went to sleep the area around my eye almost looked normal.

The next morning was another story. When I woke up it was puffed up again and itchy. Since it was near the corner of my eye it made me look like I had a cat eye on the left side. Not cute! I put the cold soda can against it again and popped more Benadryl and it improved. Over the next few days I found that if I didn't take Benadryl every four hours the area around the sting would puff up again. I was so thankful that I packed the Benadryl or I would have had a miserable time on the rest of my Southeast Asia trip. 

In conclusion, my takeaway from this story is twofold. One, the Night Market in Luang Prabang in awesome and should not be missed. Two, always pack Benadryl when you travel.

Note: For people outside of areas where it is sold that may not be familiar with it, Benadryl is an over the counter antihistamine that can reduce swelling and itching. As with all medications make sure before you take it that you are aware of any risks and follow dosage instructions. Also, as a disclaimer, I am not a doctor and cannot give medical advice. 

Comments

[Mary-Lou]

Good quick reaction to the bug bite - do you know what kind of insect bit you? OUCH. I keep Benadryl handy because I have reactions to almost every insect, including mosquito bites. I have made a paste from the Benadryl and applied topically. Colourful photos from a colourful market. In the last market photo I Iike the fabrics with trees on them.

[Lisa]

Mary-Lou- I have no idea what it was. I just saw a blur when it flew at me! Luckily the Benadryl and icing worked to keep it manageable.