Physically, mentally, intellectually and emotionally – I am exhausted and it’s only the middle of the week!! I will try to sum up as best as I can what it is that I’ve seen done, heard, learned and most importantly experienced in the last four days! Tomorrow will begin our 5 hour bus ride to the Refugee Camp located in the hills, north of where we are now (Chiang Mai). The drive, for the first 40 minutes is straight (yes, I will be doing some of this blog on my ride) and then, the curves begin – 1,864 to be exact! To be sure that I won’t get sick it will be a semi-fasting day! :o) By the way, the doll is made by one of the residents from New Life … read next blog …Check out the airport in Bangkok – very modern looking, no? And notice the picture of the King; I tell you, his pictures – taken throughout his life – are everywhere!!!
Here are Tito and Inday waiting at the airport – both Philippino. You’ve already met Inday, but Tito has been living in Cambodia for the last 10 years working for an NGO.
The airport is unique looking ...
... and the aerial view made me think of "all roads lead to Bangkok!" Flight time was only an hour!
Our hotel (Chiang Mai Gate) is quite lovely as you can see. Manisha and I are roommates and that has been a lot of fun! When we’re not giggling, our time in northern Thailand has been more than “sandwich packed” with lectures, discussions, lectures, more discussion and field visits!!!
BUDDHA, BUSY STREETS AND BIZAAR!
Saturday afternoon was free from lecture, but a small group of us went searching for temples (wats) and viewing the beautiful and unique Buddhas within them. On the way, I saw some men playing checkers by a food stand (there are countless food stands) on the sidewalk.
Chiang Mai is quite quaint!
Ian was talking to one of the monks, whose name was “A.” What a funny, funny young man; he had such a wonderful disposition and sense of humor. He and Ian had very interesting and deep philosophical discussion, while Erinma and I listened and then took our pictures with him. When Erinma started getting closer to him I immediately said, rather forcefully, “Don’t touch him!” As women, we are not able to touch monks (even shake their hands or give them anything by hand). The reasoning is to stop desire (sexual) between monks and women. Should a woman want to give a monk an offering (food, flowers, etc.), she should place it next to him and he will pick it up with the draped cloth from his robe. Any physical contact is seen as evil; if contact does take place, and depending on the Buddhist way he follows, it may result in him going through daylong cleansing ritual rights or even disrobing! Who would want to be responsible for that!? Being Italian doesn’t help the situation as I’m always touching everything!! Needless to say, I was super conscious!! Attire in the temple and around the monks is conservative, which is why I have my jacket on as shoulders need to be covered. As you can see, I kept my distance!!
Here are some pictures of the outside and inside of the temple. It was wonderful to be there while the monks were all chanting. In many of the wats, there was a picture of the King when he was a monk many, many years ago. All boys at some point in their lives become a monk, for a minimum of what use to be 3 months (now it’s as little as a month) as it brings great honor to the parents.
Vicky (Northern Ireland) is having coconut juice and I had dragon fruit, which tastes like a tasteless kiwi. The color is vibrant and enticing, isn't it?!
The following day (Sunday), we had an interesting lecture with Lt. Colonel Apichart Hattasin, (pictured here), a social worker and an NGO worker. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/05/thailand.pedophiles/index.html#fbid=PpYpDnukJpc&wom=false
After class, and in the afternoon we went to Doi Suthep where we climbed up to this ornate temple. Many Buddhists were there praying and making offerings. I did too and was even blessed by a monk. His assistant tied a robe bracelet around my left wrist. Check it out below!! It was an amazing and spiritual experience! From the very first time that I came to Thailand, when I first became exposed to Buddhism, I came to realize and strongly feel that there is no “right” religion to follow and personally feel very comfortable in a synagogue, church or temple. But, I still need to learn about many more religions …
This is the kind monk who blessed me by placing a bunch of bamboo twigs in a bowl of water.
Here is an offering of flowers and eggs ...
At night Inday and I conquered the Night Bazaar for ... more shopping!!
The next day consisted of 12 hours of lectures on human trafficking and a Rotary meeting. So after lecture, we went to the Rotary dinner close to Chiang Mai. Look at our dinner area!
As we got off the elevator, we were welcomed with leis made from jasmine! It was awesome. Here is a picture of the men in our group all dressed up!
Here is a photo of dessert. The fruit is presented in a very artistic manner and always delicious. I’ll have to remember to pick up a couple of knives that cut the fruit in a zig-zag pattern. So, so beautiful! I can already tell you that I will miss papaya when I go back home!
After a couple of hours of sitting for our meal, I’ve developed an appreciation for my body and the benefits of yoga. Even with that, my back, my neck, my feet! – everything was killing me!!!!
Then ... Thai dancing! And we all did it pretty well, if I may say so myself thanks to Jenn's dancing lessons!
Look at how far this woman's hands can bend back! Thai women begin to stretch the hands of their infant daughters back at an extremely young age, to prepare them for traditional Thai dancing should they decide to pursue it!
