(A)Musings from Thailand

My Town

The town in which I am currently staying is a small town with few western luxuries. There is one 7/11, one swimming pool and one internet cafe. It also has one of the largest statues of Buddha in Thailand at almost 100m high. As the old Thai proverb goes... "A town is not a town without a golden Godzilla sized statue of his divine holiness". Or words to that effect.

During the week I am teaching at a school 20 minutes away by bicycle. You can forget the peculiar spotted seat designs and leaves-on-track delays of the packed northern line. The only thing that may stop me from getting to school would be an elephant-on-path delay. It hasn't happened to me yet, but I've heard it is a distinct possibility. It would certainly trunkate my journey.

Amusing Monks

The journey to school passes by a local temple and it is not uncommon to see orange tunic clad monks going about their duties. However, rather than praying or cleaning their statues of Buddha or doing other "holy" things, I have on several occassions seen them going about more mundane tasks. For example, one morning I saw one monk mowing the lawn and another morning I saw one clambering up a telephone poll, attempting to fix the wires, as another looked on, barking instructions. I do not think it is possible to describe quite how surreal these sights really are. It is at least comforting to know that being a devout follower of big B does not exempt onself from the most menial of chores.

Continuing my education in Buddhism, last weekend I attended the party and ceremony of a boy becoming a monk; although the focus was certainly more slanted towards the party. The drinking and dancing started early- when we arrived at 8am the beer was already flowing and by 10am the whisky was cracked open. I did not mind the drinking; it was the dancing that got to me. We danced for half an hour in the baking heat as we made our way to the temple for the "monkhood" ceremony. The majority of that time consisted of staggering old men smelling of whisky either coming up to us to "help" us with out dancing (this included a full hands on hips grope which I wasnt all that comfortable with) or them dragging us to their middle-aged daughters/sisters/cousins/wives in a bid to pair us off with the most unattractive and desperate women they could find. They were basically acting as pimps. Primark pimps: They had a stock of cheap tat - all made in Asia - and only the larger sizes were left.

The Real Thailand

Without wanting to sound too "gap yah" ish, I am enjoying how unlike typical tourist Thailand the town in which I am living is. An abscence of hot showers and western food helps to enhance the idea that I am experiencing a part of Thailand that few travellers get to.

Having said all that.... In just over 2 weeks I'll be heading to the full moon party on Koh Phagnan where I plan to fully and unashamedly reimmerse myself in all the western comforts I have been deprived of recently. It will be an orgy of pizzas, burgers, hot showers, and conversations in English. If anyone reading this is going to be there (November 21st) then be sure to let me know!

Lots of love to everyone

Jonny x x x