I woke up for breakfast this morning and found myself face to face with what I believe to be every Muslim’s secret dream, the unspoken wish bubbling deep within: Beef Bacon. I stood at the buffet for what seemed like a thousand years, trying to decide if this is was the real life or just a fantasy before doing a backflip and taking three.
A note to every person in my lifetime that told me how much I was missing out when it comes to bacon: I do not understand. It tastes like Slim Jim. Total downer.
After eating my weight in shrimp dumplings and and noodles and dragonfruit (how everyone in this country is so skinny is the Eighth Wonder of the world) we set off to see the most beautiful temples I have ever seen in my entire life.
It was in this temple above where a Thai monk blessed me. Karim and I knelt in the front while he flicked holy water and tied ropes to our wrists. I’m completely in awe of the unconditional love and relentless peacefulness of this culture.
The Reclining Buddha was so huge it put the broken feet statue of Lost to SHAME. We visited four temples and the royal palace, each more gorgeous and elaborate than the next. I’m tempted to post all 707 photos I took today.
We took a small boat to a restaurant by the river and returned about 70 pound heavier. We sunk the boat. Back at the hotel, a mini army of massage masters we met at the palace were there to essentially beat the crap out of my entire family. I am baffled by the people that claim to fall asleep during these things. I spent a good chunk of the time biting my pillow, trying with all my might not to scream or laugh or kick her in the face. It was the smallest lady in the universe vs. the tallest Egyptian in history, and she won by a landslide. Afterwards, my parents came into the room and we spent a good half hour laughing about getting our butts massaged. I spent the evening finishing A Thousand Splendid Suns by the pool and watching the sunset.
In short (after the long), Thailand is gorgeous. I’m in love with the way people bow to each other to say hello and thank you and how much they love their king. I’m in love with Buddhism, Pad Thai, and the little Thai umbrella I bought for the sun. And I’m already excited about tomorrow, when we visit the floating river markets.
Chan ra Meung Thai. Kob Khun Ka for reading.