Go Everywhere

There is so much to say in this post that I don't know where to begin. (except as a note to say that most of my photos that should be posted here, got shipped (literally) home. You will have to wait until the ship arrives and I am in Chicago to see them-- if all goes as planned, that will be October?! oops.) My hosts here (because often many people act as host to me here) are very committed that I go everywhere and see everything and get a real feel for the culture (for which I am very grateful!). I made a list this morning of all the places I've been and things I've seen and it is hugely long! I have driven 600 km in a pickup truck with 8 other people to Laos; woven silk; watched noodles being made and sorted them into baskets; helped make Thai candy; participated in a boy- & girl-scout bonfire; watched the girls win 3:0 in a socker/football game; sung karaoke; had dinner with the Governor of the province (sort of); watched a lesson in how to make sandwiches, participated in the local parade (dressed as an ancient Thai Queen); spent the night in a forest temple; been blessed by a monk (with holly water); begun learning to play Ponglang music and dance in Ponglang style; touristed in Bangkok (the Royal Palace and shopping at Kow San Road) and Ayutthaya; had several Thai massages (Wonderful!); eaten German food (Thai style); and danced with the school band at the celebration of the completion of a local temple! And many more things that I can't think of at the moment!

I can't talk about everything, so here a few (and only a few) highlights to give you a taste of what I am experiencing.

My first weekend here (while I was still suffering a little from jet lag) we crammed ourselves into a pick-up truck (much more common – and practical – than cars, though not as common as motorcycles) and drove 600 km (about 400 miles I think) to Laos. We traveled in Thai style, which means that there were 5 or 6 of us in the cab and another 4 or 5 in the bed of the truck (9 of us all together) with the bags and various packages we were taking to or from visiting with our driver's family. I don't know what to say about our visit. It seems like it happened so long ago! It was a very long and complicated process to get a visa to get into the country (a process I have to do again this weekend so I can stay in Thailand for another month) and we spent a lot of time standing in lines waiting. We spent the afternoon dashing from temple to temple, monument to museum. It was all very beautiful and wonderful, but it felt like we were always running late! The only slow times were when we sat down to eat. I love eating Thai style. Not only is the food wonderful and plentiful, but the Thai style seems to be to just sit and relax and eat slowly, enjoying the company of the people you eat with! Perfect!

This trip was the beginning of my experience with Buddhism. It was the first time I "respected the Buddha" – This is done by kneeling before the multiple images that form the focal point of all Wats (Temples), and then bowing (I bend forward and put my hands to the sides of my knees) three times. -- It was also the first time I "made merit" by offering incense and candles and flowers to the Buddha. Money and food are also commonly offered – sometimes every day (I think).

On Valentines day (called Valentine day – which both Jacob and I kept hearing as "Volunthai" – I wonder if that is where they got the name?) Jacob and I were invited (with some of the teachers) to a party hosted by the Governor of the province. In many ways it was like any other party. There were booths set up around the edge of the park that provided food. There was music (first a violinist and then a big band), played very loud (Thai style – everywhere there is music, it is played so loud that I have to lean in to hear what the person next to me is saying!). There was dancing! (I danced Thai style for the second time in my life! The first time was at the boy/girl-scout (required for all students in M4-6 (aqua 10th, 11th, 12th grades) camp bonfire. I have since performed with the school band at a festival celebrating the building of a temple!) Jacob and I got our photo taken with the Governor and his wife. Then we went home, three computers richer! (part of the reason for the party was to give away about 20 brand-new computers donated by the Red Cross to the schools in the province.

Jacob and I also drove and drove and drove to a forest temple in the middle of nowhere, near the Cambodia border (stopping at a local fruit orchard to discover strange and delicious new fruits on the way). Refugees had passed through there 20 or 30 years ago and had been massacred. And the monks had built a temple near-by. It was beautiful and very peaceful. But the story will have to wait for another day.

Finally, and also very briefly, I got to walk in the town parade. It was a celebration of the life of Buddha, before he became the Buddha. Many of the teachers and other big-shots of town got dressed up in ancient costumes. We were dressed in silk and gold. Everyone looked amazing (!), though it took so long to get us all ready that the parade left about 2 hours late!) Everyone in town laughed and applauded to see the faring dressed as a Thai. There were elephants, and the first horse I've seen here. People carried stacks of golden hoops on tall poles and banners that fluttered in the breaze (or when they walked anyway) and god's-eyes that looked like mobiles. When I saw them being made, I asked Mook about it, and she said they were to make the parade look like Heaven – which it did. We walked about one, maybe half, a kilometre to the temple in the blazing heat (the hottest day to that point) being offered water and cotton soaked in menthol or eucalyptus to keep us "fresh." It took us nearly an hour! I had a great time!