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only one in the room.
     
    You’d think it would be easier to focus while walking and talking to yourself and yet I still found myself thinking about things – wondering what time it was, what Mike was doing, realizing that I might be hungry. On one pass, I noticed the table at the end of the room. The metal feet had been wrapped in orange fabric. I wondered how many bare toes had bumped it. Ouch! But then I zoned out and could only feel my feet. It’s amazing how much feeling is in the bottom of your foot. I felt the heel touch the cool surface first, the ball, and the side with the toes – each one of them – following. I could feel the gaps between the tiles as I progressed slowly. It was good. It was peaceful. And it was only a glimpse into the calm peace.
     
    With one more seated meditation, the time was up. I can’t say that the time flew by but it didn’t feel like three hours either. I thanked the kind monk, left a donation, retrieved my shoes, and left to meet Mike. As I walked out of the temple complex, I could still feel the bottoms of my feet. They were unusually sensitive as I felt the cushion of my shoes under me. The rest of me, however, was still in a daze and overly sensitive to the noise and bustle of the street. I sat for a while before Mike and I continued with our day… another temple.
     
    As for the life of monks, I wish I understood more and maybe I’ll learn in time. For now, the monks here, there and everywhere will remain an inspiration and a mystery.

Friday, February 11, 2011
    Magic Carpet Ride
    Ahhh – Chiang Mai. This is a smaller city northwest of Bangkok. It is slower paced, with less traffic, less pollution, more walkable and a more complete Thai experience. And it’s easier to get out into the countryside, which we did.
     
    Mike and I booked a one-day trek. In this case, our “magic carpet” came in the form of a covered pick-up truck with bench seats along the sides and an open back – no seat belts or airbags. It whisked us away to the hills and jungle outside of the city, along with seven others who were from either Austria, Germany or Israel.
     
    Our first stop was an orchid farm. It was beautiful with bursts of colorful orchids floating in the air. Next, we were off to see traditional villages. For me, it generated conflicting feelings. The “village” was actually a collection of huts for several tribes, such as the Hmong and Karen tribes. We learned that this protected area helped preserve the tribes’ cultures – a worthy goal. Nonetheless it felt like a zoo for people. When we arrived, an eighty-five-year-old woman rose from her seat. She demonstrated how rice grains are separated from the hull by beating them with a lever operated by her foot. I tried it and discovered it took considerable strength! She could probably out-run me! Kids ran and played in traditional clothing, placidly posing for photos as they’ve done many times before.
     
    One of the most notable tribes was the Karen Long Necks. These women wear metal rings around their necks, legs and arms starting at a young age. One ring is added per year until age thirteen. They could choose whether or not to wear the rings. They were beautiful women. They sat quietly while tourists photographed them in their rings, their hair wrapped in colorful fabrics.
     
    The church and school were at the far end of the village. The school was an outdoor pavilion with a roof and one wall. The wall held a huge blackboard from which they appeared to be teaching Thai and English. Throughout the community, villagers were selling their locally-made, traditional products. We skipped the products and donated to the school. It’s sad to think these people’s history and traditions may eventually end. But I’m not sure this is the lifestyle they envisioned for their future.
     
    Back into the magic carpet truck and on towards an elephant camp. On the way, we saw several other elephant camps with the animals standing under