We're Buddhist now

This was the day I had to wear too many layers of clothing.  Shorts, tank top, sweater, and a long skirt to pull over my shorts at the temple.  But at least it was only 90 degrees...

Chinese Buddha (riding a dragon?)

Thai Buddha

We visited a Chinese-Thai Buddhist temple. Everyone had to dress very modestly out of respect for the monks who live there, hence the sweater and long skirt.  Although we knew where we were going, we had no idea that it's totally normal to get your fortune told there. (?)  You shake a cup full of red, numbered sticks, then grab a piece of paper from the corresponding box.  It really was amazing how only one stick jumped out for each person. I got number 9.

"Just like a fish transforming into a dragon.  Improvement and development envisaged. Traveling south or west shall yield good fruits. Parted persons reunited.  Love affairs not yet concluded in immediate future. Patient's condition worsening. Good lucks approaching. Keep trying hard, success waiting not far away."

None of it really makes sense to me - except the fish transforming into a dragon part.  Because I'm magic.

We then learned the proper way to enter a temple and light 3 sticks of incense - one for the Buddha, one for the Sangha (Buddhist community), and one for the Dharma (teachings of the Buddha).  You stick them into a pot of sand, which I'm sure is called something else. Then, you kneel with your forehead to the floor three times and stay and meditate as long as you want on the cold, hard ground.  In the temple, you have to kneel or sit with your feet facing away from the Buddha.  It was super peaceful, but my knees and feet started to hurt after a few minutes. 

See all the incense sticks?

Side note: People hate feet here. You have to take off your shoes before you enter someone's house or anywhere Buddha is present, including some stores and restaurants.  It's also very disrespectful to show anyone the bottoms of your feet, so I have to start sitting with my feet on the ground like a normal person. boo.


After our group did the incense/meditation process, a monk came in and blessed us and our families back home, and he gave us bracelets.  I haven't taken it off yet.

This temple was built into a hill/mountain, so we climbed up a never-ending staircase to the top. (It was a good thing we got so much practice in Cinque Terre. This wasn't nearly as bad!)

BIG Thai Buddha

At the top there is an enormous statue of the sitting Thai Buddha as well as a beautiful view of the beach and Gulf of Thailand.

The view - which made us all want to go jump in the water... d.r.i.p.p.i.n.g. s.w.e.a.t.

This was all the same day as the pineapple plantation/elephant experience - so much love for this country!

Wish you all were here!

PS - the water is actually super warm and not refreshing, but I won't complain about that. :o)