Chiang Mai -- Wat a Day!

This morning we were reminded that it is Independence Day!We were thrilled to be mostly FREE of the stomach virus.

After a dip in the hotel pool, we went out to explore the ways (temples) of Chiang Mai. What a wat of wats! Some of the temples we visited dated to 700 BC! Again, we were mesmerized by the gilded, glittering intricate exteriors.  Inside the temples sat giant, golden Buddha's in lotus position, or reclining, or, towering to the ceiling and robed in silk.

But the most astonishing adornments were not the Buddhas, but the monks:

 After removing my shoes to enter one Temple, I stepped over the temple door lintel and clasped my hands together in respect for the three monks who sat facing the entrance. I tried not to make eye contact, but as I walked closer, I felt amazed at how still they remained. Imagine my surprise when I stood right next to them and suddenly realized that they were made of wax! Creepy!

We walked the old town, visiting temples and sampling food : no more sushi! Steve stopped to play a game with some amused 12 year olds.  La Craw is a lot like hacky sack, but with a cane ball. Bouncing it off any body part is fair game!

We strolled  through a small park where young monks sat at tables studying. One was in a heated conversation in English with a French tourist, who was asking him how he, the monk is able to suppress is carnal desires. I noticed a sign behind them: Monk conversation, donations.

 We sat down with a young man in his early 20's. He was happy to get a brief break from his textbooks. He was reading a text of Chaucer's "Cantebery Tales" in middle English for his university exam tomorrow! Hard stuff, even for native speakers. He had become a novice monk when he was 13 and enjoyed the spirituality and tranquility of the monkhood.  8 years later, he decided to become full monk when he finished his studies. Like many monks we've seen here, his smartphone rested discreetly near his book. 

After a simple dinner, we checked out the famous Chiang Mai night bazaar. There, those fish that bit us at Erawan were on sale for pedicures for 5 bucks!  I tamped down my overwhelming craving to buy a bunch of ethno plunder. It wasn't easy, but if I had, I would have had to carry it for the next 3 weeks.  Benji and Marina posed for pictures with Cabaret queens and then looked shocked when we told them these fancy ladies were actually men. But, she has boobs! Marina exclaimed.  Just wait until you have to have your first transvestite and transsexual conversation with a 10 year old. We finished of the night poaching seats at an outdoor bar where the Thai musicians were playing an excellent rendition of Pink Floyd's "Wish you were here." Fitting!

That night, at 4 in the morning, I called for Steve as I fell off the toilet and fainted. Don't worry, mom. I'm okay now. I went to the hospital and my blood pressure was fine.  We rescheduled our travel to Pie. As I write this I'm resting comfortably in a fancy, air-conditioned hotel room. My family has been waiting on me hand and foot, bless them! I could get used to this treatment. If only it didn't come with such lousy side effects.