All good here as the end of our trip fast approaches. Yesterday, we went to another temple, up a mountain this time and in the eve caught a taxi to local shopping mall – more Thai stuff or clothes trying desperately to be ‘westernised’ but looking like cheap tat off a market … KFC enjoyed (but not as good as McThai of night before!) – how we find we too are craving all things westernized!!
Today we were up at 5:15 am to be collected and taken to Give Alms to the monks. They awake at 4:30am to pray, shower and then walk from temple down road collecting donations of food etc in their personal food receptacles, reciting a chant (prayer) at person making offerings before scuttling off to next kindly person. There are stalls set up at the side of the road for such purposes where curry, rice, water, milk and maybe a rice sweet, are put together for people to buy for 10 barts a plate (20p). Our guide bought us plates to offer (part of our package!) which was lovely being able to participate despite kneeling in the rain as row of novice monks seemingly acted appreciative (though cannot help in thinking they looked more longingly at anticipated donations made by cars pulling up laden with Tesco biscuits, sweets etc – not sure they have quite mastered the not to ‘lust’ rule yet as they almost dribbled at items which weren’t rice …. or maybe that was just me!). It would seem when they have collected enough (bowl overflowing!) they return to the temple and share all that has been collected (or come back out again or more!). Process repeated at 11:30am for lunch though I would be surprised they have digested brekkie by then! Apparently any remaining foods given to poor …..
Went onto another temple (yes, there are ‘SO MANY’ !) – happened to see a monk being ordained. The string wrapped around his head symbolises link from Buddha to people …. Anyone can prey to monk though only men can have a ‘keep safe’ string tied onto wrist by monk as women have to go to his ‘sidekick’ (as monk mustn’t touch a woman …. ‘Lust’ again I imagine!)
Thankfully (!) the museum we were meant to go to was closed as Princess due there tomorrow and they were ‘cleaning’ (not our thing this time around!) so ad hoc visit to chinese markets …. with many live creatures around, I felt myself wince with pity at the poor animals waiting to be sold for a meal …. It is Mother’s Day here tomorrow (has to be same day as queen’s birthday, Father’s Day same as king’s birthday …) so flowers and gifts for mothers for sale everywhere….they offer their mothers milk as a gift, yes milk (!) to show nourishment…. Mmmm, that would be a hard ‘grateful face’ for me to pull off – tinned milk at that!
The End Bit …
Then finally the travel day back to home … what an experience we have embraced in Thailand (and Burma) – stunning architecture, wondrous nature, vibrant colours, and the extremes of wealth reflected in the faces of the generous spirited, kindly people we have met en route. Yes, their customs, day to day activities and foods may not be the same as ours, but that’s what travel does – it opens your mind and heart to others and demands respect as we all live together on this planet – just differently. This was THAILAND…
