the whole thing culminates a few days from now, on the last full moon in october, with a fire lantern festival. the symbolic casting away of your sins. >> anthony: but today, the lao are watching and drinking, as others pull at oars and race to the finish line. >> anthony: a boat festival? >> older sister: yeah, boat festival here. today is a the girl racing. >> anthony: each boat will be women from the same village? >> older sister: yeah, one boat, it's one village. >> anthony: for weeks, racing teams have been practicing on the mekong river, each team sponsored by a local buddhist monastery. >> older sister: eat, drink, enjoy view, enjoy boat. >> anthony: how old is this tradition? >> older sister: ah, it's a long time ago.