Olan (professor of Spanish at Chulalongkorn) and Joy took me to the Golden Mount on Saturday. I almost didn't go ... it's been a crazy, busy, demanding three months that didn't allow a lot of (if any at all) breathing room!! Olan insisted though and ... I'm glad he did! Here I am at the very top!! Beside me is a metal tree of sorts where people buy and hang a bell as an offering.Apparently, this temple was built outside the new city walls in the 18th century by King Rama I and served as capital's crematorium. During the following 100 years, the temple became the dumping ground for some 60,000 plague victims. The Golden Mount was added to the compound in the early 19th century, when King Rama III built a huge chedi which collapsed into a hill of rubble. Many years later King Rama V rebuilt the chiedi and placed the teeth of Buddha, which serve as relics.
On the journey upward 318 steps their are occasional landing areas. Here is one of them ... I love ringing the bells as they all have different sounds. It is said that people ring them to make merit and I also read that the actual sound of them signifies wisdom which purifies the mind of confusion. Hmmm...
Here, Olan and I are climbing to the top; check out the hearty morning glories. The "journey" itself is spiritual ... it enables the body to physically leave the hustle and bustle of the city streets while allowing the mind Time to be still, quiet and reflective ...
Joy and I are enjoying our climb. I was taking in every step ... The vegetation, flowers, architecture, colors and the sense of quietude as you got closer to the top was an experience!
Of course there's the view of Bangkok! I wish I hadn't waited so long to appreciate the panorama of this city that was "home" to me for three months.
Multi-headed Buddha at the top of The Golden Mount, or Wat Saket. This was at the base of the golden chiedi. Reaching the top was a spiritual dessert ...
According to the plaque, on the journey upward, the Golden Mount is considered the most precious property of the Thai nation. Here are elephants, representative of Bangkok, because they served as warriors in defending the Thai kingdom from colonization. Throughout its long history, Thailand has proudly remained independent and largely owes its success to the elephant.
In the evening Manisha and I were in the lobby doing our final papers, preparing for our conference ... and drinking $5.00 pots of tea. Well deserved though ... shouldn't we treat ourselves like two princesses at the Princess Hotel?!
