That Feels...Good?

Adventures in the City

Today has been a very long, but amazing day. I am not sure when I will be able to update this since I am headed back to the orphanage tomorrow night, so I will do my best to sum everything up.

We started out early this morning (got picked up at 7) and headed for a Sikh temple. We went into their room of worship, after putting on some veils, and listened to the preacher singing hymns. He had an accordion-type instrument and his assistant preacher (i think) had a drum. The drummer was laying down some sick beats and I was trying to fight the urge to dance (pretty sure it was the wrong setting for that...ha!). After the service the temple offers a free meal to anyone who needs it. So we ate a wonderful Indian meal with the local Sikhs. Then we went back upstairs where some men taught us about the Sikh religion. It was really cool to see how religions are so similar and there are so many people all over the world who really just want to help others and serve God. We were asking them questions and one of us asked if they would ever see God in one of their reincarnated states. The preacher replied "yes" with no hesitation, and further explained that he sees God in us, in nature, in the world. I got goose bumps when he said that. God really is in everything and I'm glad I am not the only one who sees it.

We then piled in our rot dangs and headed up a mountain. If I thought the roads up to the orphanage were bad, oh boy...let's say I felt a little more than queasy. But there were some stellar views up there. At the top was a big temple, Doi Suthep I think (so many wats, I am already mixing them all up). It was gorgeous. But it was weird for me that it is a holy place but their are all these vendors trying to sell stuff on the steps that lead up to the temple. Also there are a million dogs everywhere because the monks won't kick them out. It's pretty much a refuge for dogs. On the way up of possibly one of the biggest staircases I have ever seen in my life, we stopped and got banana waffles. It's a banana on a stick (like a popsicle) with a cooked waffle completely covering it. They put some chocolate sauce on it, and seriously, oh my delicious. When we made it up to the temple we gave some offerings to the Buddha and then we were blessed by a monk to be lucky and happy. So that's good? haha It was definitely a cool experience.

On the way back from the temple we stopped at a Hmong village. We went to their market and man was it fun. We walked up tiny steps that just kept going and going. They were selling so much, and I wanted to buy it all! But I resisted that temptation and only got a couple of things, which also means that I was able to practice my bartering skills :) After the village we stopped at a small waterfall and we cooled off by putting our feet in the water. Such a relief. We also got to try the Thai version of an icecream sandwich. It's a legit sandwich. Two pieces of bread, coconut icecream, sticky rice, more icecream, peanuts, and condensed milk. Interesting. Not bad. Not good. Just interesting.

We had some lunch as a group and then our facilitator turned us loose. We went to the mall and picked up some necessary items (like adapters, soap, etc) and then hit the number one must-do when in Thailand. Thai massage of course! Heck yeah! For 160 baht ($5) you get an hour long massage. And let me tell you, it's probably going to be the best massage you've ever had. Oh man. I was a little weirded out at first...I mean for one, they use every single appendage of theirs to massage you (hands, feet, legs, wrists, elbows, etc), and second of all, they are not shy and cover every inch of you. I was a little caught of guard, but as soon as I was able to comprehend how amazing it felt, I forgot about the weirdness of the situation. This is something I am going to be doing once a week, I guarantee it!

Then we went to the Saturday night market. It was pretty big tourist market, with stereotypical farangs everywhere, but it was still fun. The interesting thing though was it was so much hotter at this point (despite that the sun has already set) and we all just felt so gross. I was kind of relieved to get back in our rot dang and come home so I could shower and go to bed. I am really just wiped out.

But I wanted to wish my mom a happy (although a tad bit early) mother's day. She has helped me so much along the way and I'm positive my adventurous spirit came from her. Love you lots Madre.

Well I am still doing well. My body is hanging in there. I felt a little sick, but nothing to really cause problems (knock on wood). I also have a weird little rash thing on my leg...maybe it's just from sweat/heat? I don't know...it's not too bad though, so no worries. I thank all of you that are keeping me in your prayers. It may sound weird, but I can really feel them sustaining me and keeping me strong out here.

Until the next adventure,

Peace out!