luang prabang

it is common in the region to see people begging, children selling tiny handicrafts, etc. in luang prabang everyone is pretty laid back, the children and beggars accept a slight shake of the head and walk off. but there is this one awesome dude whose actions are odd and purpose is confusing. he is an enigma. 

we have seen him two days in a row, perched from a streetside cafe where we are presently sitting, eating breakfast and utilizing the free wi-fi to write these ever so important updates on my childlike existence. he is old and skinny, barefoot and bald, and wears ony a loincloth type wrap around his waist. he just walked by actually, he's weariing one of those pointy asian rice paddy cone hats today, and smoking a cigarette.

so i don't want to call him a beggar or bum, i'm not sure what to call him. here is what i have observed him do over the past few days:

he has walked up to us and held his hands out, presumably for money.

he walked across the street to another cafe and ate some food off some people's plate without hesitation or asking.

he deposited one cigarette each to two girls who were sitting at a table near us.

he came to our table with money in each hand, holding it out to us.

this is a small town, so i think he just makes laps and does his thing. i'm curious to know what that is.