Letter 7 (Dave)
Dave & Ann: Southeast Asia 2005
Hi,
Another quick update.
Yesterday was elephant day. Mom and I rode atop a large elephant making our way across rivers, forest trails, occasionally refueling the animal with purchased sugar cane and bananas. It was a fun ride. A more traditional elephant show followed with the elephants painting pictures, ducking baskets in basketball, kicking soccer balls through the goal posts, dancing, working logs, etc. It is a herd owned for several generations to raise and train elephants. But watch out if you don't feed them fast enough. They can get pushy which is no small matter for several tons of beast!
All this was followed by a pleasant rafting trip down the river. It was hardly white water stuff though like Costa Rica, but was relaxing.
What followed in the p.m. was a series of visits at various factories where they made and worked with silver, gem stones, laquerware, etc. Well, let's put it this way, it really was more interesting than I thought it would be. Of course, the opportunity to make a purchase was always there.
Also a brief visit at a butterfly and orchid garden. Now why did I leave my closeup lens back in the hotel? Lots of color.
In the evening, we went out and presented gifts of incense, flowers and gold leaf to the Buddha in a worship setting.
This a.m., Tuesday, we got up at 5:30 to watch and respond to the Buddhist monks on the rounds seeking food donations. They do not beg, but will only respond when invited. We had plates of food which we placed in their buckets. Then we received a chanted blessing. It is in this way they receive alms for their support. In Myanmar the monks aggressively beg for money because of the poverty there. But in Thailand, the response is natural and not pushed in any way. People gather early to greet the oranged robed monks, some children novices as well, to make their donations.
Later in the morning, we gathered with a learned professor who was a monk. He had lectured and traveled to the US at various times and knew all the football teams represented by the various states in our group. He shared some of the Buddhist history and philosophy and responded to questions. It was an interesting time. He didn't answer my question too well though in how the Buddhists feel about persons of other faiths such as Abraham, Jesus and Mohammed.
Then a drive up a steep road took us to another massive temple. It was built centuries ago at the place where a special white elephant stopped. The elephant could have picked a more convenient spot, but 300 steps just made it more interesting.
While there we shook a canister of sticks and when one fell out, the number on it corresponded with a statement of the future for the person. I'll let Mom report on hers! To give a hint, mine was quite positive.
We than approached a monk who gave each of us a blessing which included the sprinkling of water on each of us. Then we approached and a cord was placed on our wrist. He tied the one on the males, but since they can have no physical contact with females, he simply placed in their hand.
Perhaps you can tell by now, that when you have a cultural tour of Thailand, it is impossible to separate it from Buddhism. It is a way of life. Yet, it is done in a gentle way where there is not attempt to convert or evangelize. That is not their style.
I just looked over and see Mom writing to you concurrent with this, from what I see there, I won't try to duplicate what she is writing
This will be our last night in Chaing Mei and tomorrow we return to Bangkok via an all night train ride. Then the next day, we leave for Vietnam. I have no idea of the Internet connections there.
Oops, off to supper in 20 minutes and we have to return to the hotel.
love dad
Hi,
Another quick update.
Yesterday was elephant day. Mom and I rode atop a large elephant making our way across rivers, forest trails, occasionally refueling the animal with purchased sugar cane and bananas. It was a fun ride. A more traditional elephant show followed with the elephants painting pictures, ducking baskets in basketball, kicking soccer balls through the goal posts, dancing, working logs, etc. It is a herd owned for several generations to raise and train elephants. But watch out if you don't feed them fast enough. They can get pushy which is no small matter for several tons of beast!
All this was followed by a pleasant rafting trip down the river. It was hardly white water stuff though like Costa Rica, but was relaxing.
What followed in the p.m. was a series of visits at various factories where they made and worked with silver, gem stones, laquerware, etc. Well, let's put it this way, it really was more interesting than I thought it would be. Of course, the opportunity to make a purchase was always there.
Also a brief visit at a butterfly and orchid garden. Now why did I leave my closeup lens back in the hotel? Lots of color.
In the evening, we went out and presented gifts of incense, flowers and gold leaf to the Buddha in a worship setting.
This a.m., Tuesday, we got up at 5:30 to watch and respond to the Buddhist monks on the rounds seeking food donations. They do not beg, but will only respond when invited. We had plates of food which we placed in their buckets. Then we received a chanted blessing. It is in this way they receive alms for their support. In Myanmar the monks aggressively beg for money because of the poverty there. But in Thailand, the response is natural and not pushed in any way. People gather early to greet the oranged robed monks, some children novices as well, to make their donations.
Later in the morning, we gathered with a learned professor who was a monk. He had lectured and traveled to the US at various times and knew all the football teams represented by the various states in our group. He shared some of the Buddhist history and philosophy and responded to questions. It was an interesting time. He didn't answer my question too well though in how the Buddhists feel about persons of other faiths such as Abraham, Jesus and Mohammed.
Then a drive up a steep road took us to another massive temple. It was built centuries ago at the place where a special white elephant stopped. The elephant could have picked a more convenient spot, but 300 steps just made it more interesting.
While there we shook a canister of sticks and when one fell out, the number on it corresponded with a statement of the future for the person. I'll let Mom report on hers! To give a hint, mine was quite positive.
We than approached a monk who gave each of us a blessing which included the sprinkling of water on each of us. Then we approached and a cord was placed on our wrist. He tied the one on the males, but since they can have no physical contact with females, he simply placed in their hand.
Perhaps you can tell by now, that when you have a cultural tour of Thailand, it is impossible to separate it from Buddhism. It is a way of life. Yet, it is done in a gentle way where there is not attempt to convert or evangelize. That is not their style.
I just looked over and see Mom writing to you concurrent with this, from what I see there, I won't try to duplicate what she is writing
This will be our last night in Chaing Mei and tomorrow we return to Bangkok via an all night train ride. Then the next day, we leave for Vietnam. I have no idea of the Internet connections there.
Oops, off to supper in 20 minutes and we have to return to the hotel.
love dad
posted by Brent @ 9:57 PM
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