Sunshine and Mosquitos and Mangos with Sticky Rice…
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010*More photos are now available in my Vacation Gallery*
Friday/Saturday The 20 hours flight provided uninterrupted time to catch up on some of my somatic studies reading – Internal Family Systems Therapy by Richard Schwartz and Focusing by Eugene Gendlin. I arrived at my hotel in Bangkok at 1AM and immediately put the large soaking tub and aromatic foaming bubble bath to good use while enjoying the expansive city view from the full length window from my 58th floor room. I ate breakfast looking at a glass wall facing the beautiful courtyard of greenery, large manmade waterfall and flowers. Fresh tropical fruit juices, an assortment of breads and pastrys, omelet service, meats, salad bar, cheeses, cereal and yogurt bar, and many items that I can only imagine eating later in the day – curries, phad thai, sushi, etc. After that I spoiled myself with an aromatic spa massage. What a great way to head off jet lag! From there I took a taxi to the Grand Palace to look at the amazing architecture and learn a bit of Thai history. After walking for hours I wandered a short ways over to Wat Po for a Thai foot massage… heaven!
Sunday I took a taxi to Chatujak Market. Wandering aimlessly I was soon lost in a combination of indoor and outdoor stalls… Buddha statues and charms, ivory and gems both raw and crafted, silks, clothing, flowers, furniture, tropical fruit and icee stands, roasted meats, deep fried unidentifiable things … I walked the maze for three hours allowing myself to be dizzied and disoriented by the sights and sounds. Finally I stumbled out and found the street again. Hailing a cab I handed the driver the hotel card with map in Thai and settled back. After nearly an hour of driving he pulled into a hospital. I showed him the card again and he smiled and nodded then pulled back into traffic, every minute or so studying the card intently. Apparently he did not read Thai nor speak English, and my ability to only mime information back was woefully inadequate. I finally reached over and hit the STOP button on his meter. He said nothing and drove for about twenty more minutes then indicated that I should get out in the middle of the street. Ok. Four cabs in a row stopped, looked at my card, shook their heads and drove off. Now I was getting worried! Fortunately the fifth cabbie agreed to drive me back to the hotel where I retrieved my bags then headed to the airport.
Week One Chiang Mai vs. Bangkok feels as different as NYC and Seattle. Only Asian. Chiang Mai is still a significant sized city, though not overwhelming in size. Being 90+% Buddhist population, nearly every building has a garden, ponds or fountain, and spirit houses. Even the street food vendors spilling into the road everywhere have altars adorned with marigolds, jasmine, incense and fresh fruit offerings. People are quick to smile and to call out “Swadeeka” (phonetic.) There is one word that means hello, good morning, good afternoon, good evening, good bye. I’m amused by the tradition blended with shops full of short sparkley night club wear and the relentless roar of motorbikes. The first week of massage class was a bit overwhelming. I’m used to being VERY good at working with bodies (I don’t mind tooting my own horn) but the Thai massage feels foreign and I’m completely inept. I made the mistake of doubling up my courses and taking the evening foot reflexology elective, so by the time I’m done with school, it’s time to eat and move onto my studies from back home, then to sleep… It’s difficult to understand the teachers and students with accents from all around the globe. I’ve had several near accidents just trying to cross the street, an upset stomach and I’ve been itching from the heat. Simply finding food is an adventure. Yet, by the end of the second day I’m starting to feel at home, falling into the rhythm of a new place, enjoying the variety of flavors to be found, adjusting to the heat, I figured out the money and how to do my laundry, and found the perfect vantage point for sunset watching.
Other notables – I had an interesting conversation with a Japanese student about sexuality, relationships, masturbation, the spectrum of sexual preferences, cultural differences, etc. Enjoyed a spa herbal steam room and a massage from one of the instructors. Spoke with a student from Switzerland about her life growing up and the late blooming sexual curiosity and escapades, spoke with another class mate from Israel about gender roles (nature or nurture), the difficulties he was having with his girlfriend back home after admitting to visiting a Thai prostitute. Saw an elephant being used to beg in the streets. If I have time you will hear more about the elephants and atrocities …
Weekend One Stress and exhaustion caught up with me on Friday during our practical testing. My partner was much taller and all muscle so it was simply too much to work through the sequences, the instructor kept trying to help without understanding that I have physical limitations which prevent me from being able to do the thai chi movement with any balance. At one point I had to actually walk away from my “client” and the instructor for a bit of breathing and cool water in the breakroom… then returned and somehow still managed a 92% on my marks. I’ve heard that shows of temper or negative emotion are seen as the signs of a lesser evolved human here. Well, I’m ok with that lol! After that the reflexology testing was relaxing and fun, 98%. Off for a few tropical alcoholic drinks with classmates, and managed to catch an impromptu jam session with one of the students from back in the USA.
Elephant Nature Park I spent the rest of the weekend an hour outside the city at a very special place born from the dreams of Sangduen Chailert, “Lek.” Please take a moment to visit http://www.elephantnaturepark.org for information on this magical place and the tremendous work that they are doing. I hope to expand on this post in the future.
Week Two Last week raced right by and I know this week will race by as quickly as last. I’m sad that I cannot justify more time here. Another three weeks and maybe I’d see half of the things on my list… Perhaps I’ll come back some time for the 11-week certified advanced practitioner training program which would qualify me to teach Levels I and II back in the states… Or maybe I’d rather simply wander the country side and take excursions to Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and India…
With Love,
hopes to post again soon,
and the anticipation of seeing you again,
Sola
