It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

Well it has been awhile since I wrote in my blog and a few of my friends have been asking where I am so I guess I will catch you up to date.

After hitting the ground running the moment I arrived, I decided to just soak up the day to day life in Chiang Mai and so I have been practicing my newly learned meditation, taking day trips and hangin' with the neighbors. It is monsoon season so it is not unusual that we have to wait to head out. So one day before going for a ride I asked Joe, "do we need our rain gear?" Well I should have known better than to listen when he said "Nah!" (I mean since when do I listen anyway?)


Needless to say, there was a torrential downpour and since it was so difficult to see, we were not only wet, we were lost. It was a good day to practice acceptance :).

Funny how just before it started to pour we had stopped in Bo Sang where they have an umbrella factory.


I love how the Universe works. It lets you know exactly what you need to know but then again you have to be willing to listen and I believe I previously mentioned my problem in that area :).

So meet the neighbors.

I have spent most of my time with a young man named Yanik


He is a great kid and it amazes me that he speaks 4 languages. I find it rather humbling since I barely speak good English :). He loves to play video games so I guess kids are the same everywhere and he likes me to watch him so I can applaud his ability and skills to get to the next level. His mom's name is Pia, who is such a creative spirit that I envy her. Yes, I have a lot of work to do to walk the path of the Buddha.


Here she is lovingly looking at her son playing games when he should be home doing his chores. Oops contributing to the delinquency of a minor, AGAIN!

There is Joe and Rita who live next door





and John, who is directly behind us.









And then of course, there is my friend Joe


who has been so incredibly generous, is a great travel partner, a teacher, philosopher and a guide throughout Thailand. We will be leaving on Wednesday for a trip to southern Thailand where I am going to get my scuba certificate and then off to Vietnam and Cambodia.

Until tomorrow................



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Silence is Golden?

As I mentioned, after seeing the story of the Buddha, I decided to go on a meditation retreat and so off I went to Wat Suan Dok for a two day retreat. If you would like, take a look at their website www.monkchat.net. It still amazes me how everything imaginable is on the internet. The monks even have a Facebook page. Do you think the Buddha foresaw this method of spreading the word?

Before I left, knowing that it would be vegetarian, Joe and I went in search of the best chicken and boy did we find it!


Although one of the many things we learned at the center was about not being gluttonous, I am so glad that we found this place before I left as I ate an entire chicken!

At the University, the monk introduced us to Buddhism and meditation practice.


We then went to the meditation training center where we changed into all white clothes.


You gotta love that the NCAA was with us! We were told that we could not speak and took a vow of silence. What? Nobody mentioned this little fact. How am I supposed to get to know all these new people if I can't talk with them? It wasn't the hours of meditation or the getting up at 5:00 a.m. that was challenging but for me, not speak?

The place was so beautiful and incredibly peaceful (especially with no one talking) that it was an amazing two days.







Oh but then don't I let my ego get in the way when we go to a local meditation led by an ex-pat and I am thinking, hey what's this, I was taught by a monk. I think perhaps I need more work on the Buddhist teachings :)

Until tomorrow...........................


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On Top of the World

Well at least to the highest point in Thailand.

From Mae Sariang, we took a trip to Doi Inthanon, which is 8,415 feet above sea level.



The landscape along the way had a great deal more working land than we had seen to this point with fields and fields of corn everywhere, even on steep hills that looked challenging to get to for harvesting. I wondered what the corn was for since I have not seen any in the markets or on the menu in any restaurants.

The day was quite cloudy and as a matter of fact we were so high up we were in the clouds!



On the top of Doi Inthanon, there are two Chedis (monuments) that were dedicated to Their Royal Majesties, The King and Queen.



Inside one of the Chedis was the story of Buddha. This story prompted me to want to go on a meditation retreat which I will be leaving for today.


As we drove through the National Park, there were several waterfalls, which somehow don't come out as breathtaking as they do when you are there but I wanted to share them with you anyway.







As we were running out of gas from our long drive, it was time to return to Chiang Mai. Perhaps these guys eat all the corn :)



Until tomorrow.............

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A River Runs Through It

Well after our return from the mountains and our singing debut, we left Mae Hong Son. On our way out of the city, we went up to Serenity Point to have a cup of coffee. There is nothing more relaxing then a good cup of coffee overlooking a beautiful city.

We drove about 5 hours through winding roads and more switchbacks than I have ever seen. I know my sister knows exactly what I mean.


We stopped at a sleepy town on the Burma border, Mae Sariang. Since it is the off season, finding a room was easy and they are much less expensive as well! Needing a little downtime, I was thrilled to have a quiet room overlooking the Yuam River.


It was so peaceful and it gave me the opportunity to sit, read and contemplate and while staring at the river, an idea came to mind. Forget contemplation, let's go kayaking!






So we took a leisurely two and a half hour trip down the river and marveled at the view. Our guide's name was Bobby (is that an every day Thai name?) and while he was having a little difficulty pronouncing my name, he exclaimed, "oh your name is the same as the manager of the WWE". That he could say clearly. You can't make this stuff up!

But with all of the beauty that surrounded me and the peace and serenity that Mae Sariang has to offer, my favorite part has to be the sign for the men's room. Look closely!



Until tomorrow.................


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The Children of Thailand

Last night I had the opportunity to go to dinner with an incredible group of kids.


They each come from tragic beginnings and yet they smile and work hard to change their stars. Their philosophy is to take their experiences and realize it makes them stronger and use their strength to better their lives and others. The woman who works with them is amazing and the charity, Toys for Thailand, that sponsors her work is full of love and dedication.

In the morning, we took a drive well into the mountains for 3 1/2 hours on roads


that really shouldn't be traveled on. That reminds me of the Robert Frost poem, and this road was definitely the one less traveled by :).


The view was amazing as we were surrounded by the foothills of the Himalayas but the camera could not do it justice. After our insides were jostled sufficiently, we arrived at the school.


The kids, who are part of the Karen Tribe,
were still in class so we watched for awhile and then we were asked to sing a song.


So we chose "Old MacDonald" from our repertoire. There I was with a microphone in my hand! How do you say NO thank you in Thai? Those of you who know me, know that I avoid microphones and have done a good job until today!

It was a great day but we had to come home - yes another 3 1/2 hours back, and oh my aching back :).

Until tomorrow...........


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Return from Jurassic Park

Hi

Well I am back from the Elephant Nature Park and it really felt like we were in a different world.


Without the Internet, it felt prehistoric and the sounds of the elephants, the dogs, the snakes, scorpions and all the other insects had you looking in every direction for what would be jumping out at you next.




We all worked hard and each day brought a new task. Some of which were cleaning up after the elephants, washing them, cutting grass using a machete (scary thinking of me with one eh?) and carrying the bales over our shoulders. It was a humbling experience when after an hour in the oppressive heat, I was exhausted and i thought about the Thai workers that do it every day.



We worked in the kitchen emptying truckloads of fruit and vegetables and then washed and cut them for the daily feedings. Here is the picture I promised Beth with me and an elephant!



The best part of the trip were the people that I met. They were from all over, Australia, England, Canada, India, New Zealand, Poland, China and the US. It was an amazing group of people that worked together for a single cause.



I've made some new friends and I hope to see them along my travels.

I am now in Mae Hong Son and we will be trekking to the border of Myanmar (Burma) tomorrow morning to help make spaghetti to feed 250 school kids.

Until tomorrow............


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