Living the Thai Life

By Shayla

Stepping into Thailand is like taking a step through C.S. Lewis’ wardrobe into the wonders of Narnia. This country is rich in culture, with Buddhism on center stage. From the retreat center we were lodging at, Trevor and Mom were able to hike up a mount that looked out at the entire valley below, rice paddies spread out like patch work. At the very top sat a golden Buddha statue along with a Hindu statue as well.

One of our highlights was an evening stroll through Chiang Mai’s famous “Walking Street” market. Booth after booth lined the walk for miles (kilometers, that is) and he streets were filled with milling people from all over the world, dozens of different accents and languages mingling in our ears. Busy vendors displayed their goods, all such an array--incredible paintings, shoes and purses in vibrant colors, beaded jewelry, along with strange sizzling foods. Among the unfamiliar sights, we did spot something quite familiar that we never saw in India, a Starbucks. But we’d rather stick with Thai tea anyway
 
Along the way we made some friends. A bearded Italian man sat on his bicycle in the middle of the walking street offering free hugs. How can one resist that? Hugs are the best. So Dad and Trevor happily joined the man in a lovely embrace, a memory I’m sure we will always remember. Let’s be real, how often do you get to hug a strange bearded Italian man on a bicycle in the middle of Thailand?

On one street alone we passed over 5 Buddhist temples, their inner halls a bright light against the darkening night. Inside some people kneeled in worship, humming and chanting along with the loud speaker’s voice which filled the room. A  huge Buddha statue of great elegance sat at the head of the room, with monks in the front rows and gift baskets and food offerings littered at his feet.


Our wonderful hosts introduced us to a magical dessert one night on our way back from an evening spent at the boy’s home. This incredible treat is called Rotee. If you have ever tasted it before, take this chance to close your eyes and let your mouth water at the thought of it. If you have not, let me explain. At this small roadside stand, a Muslim woman in traditional head covering systematically stretches out dough balls one after the other, folds them, and places them in hot oil. Moments later she pulls it out, hands it to her husband who douses it with sweetened condensed milk, sprinkles it with sugar, and rolls it up. It is warm and toasty and I can only liken it to a churro minus the cinnamon, but better. If you request Rotee with banana—my personal favorite—thin slices are inserted in the dough and fried together before following the same process, but cut up in a small bowl. This time the product is gooey and melts in your mouth.

That evening with Rotee in hand, enjoying the cool breeze from the back of the pick up, Mike took us up to the large Buddhist temple that you could see from below, glowing gold. The tall temple was magnificently decorated, etched with curving designs, and its tall spire stuck out into the now pitch-black sky, bats encircling it.
 
Mike showed us to a small tower off to the side that housed the largest gong I’d ever seen, a full head taller than me. He showed us the way to rub it vigorously so that an echoing vibration would sound, sending strange tingling up our arms.

While I had gone down to admire the other side of the temple, I heard Dad cry out in a shocked voice, “Christy! How would you like it if someone were taking photos of you while you were worshipping?” His voice rang out above the silence and I ran over to see what he was talking about. Up several steps and out of the immediate view was a row of monks. To my disbelief, Mike said that the row of monks were not alive or real…Each one of them was completely sculpted out of wax!!
 
Mom was aware all along that the monks weren’t real, but Dad thought that the silent monks were meditating in prayer and he was appalled that she was taking a photo shoot with flash and all. Dad sheepishly realized that they were wax, and came closer to take a look. It was insane how life-like they seemed. Mike informed us that they were depictions of the 12 original monks here, and that their actual bodies now lay cremated inside the temple. It was most certainly a surprise for all of us.

The most apparent sign of Thai culture is seen in every home, restaurant, business, and even street intersections…a photo of the king and queen. The couple have been in royal power for over 60 years, and for many citizens they are the only rulers they have ever known. The king and queen are now in their mid 80’s, but the photo shown on calendars and posters all around town depict them in their early years of rule, in their 30’s. Please enjoy this little montage of the lovely Thai Royal Couple.

Thailand was incredible and such a new taste of life that we had never experienced before. And we saw it all around us until the very last moment, stepping on the plane. Even in the airport we saw signs reminding us we are in a completely new land.