Tag: Thailand

Be a Spontaneous and Flexible Person

The title says it all.

After spending a week with Sabina, I headed to Krabi. Staying on Ao Nang, I ventured around for a bit, trying to figure out what to do. I was really keen on trying out the rock climbing, which is famed in the Krabi area. I had to pass on deep water soloing, but it worked out. Another girl, who I’ll call K, chose to do rock climbing on Railay Beach as well so we went together. K is a supremely interesting individual who is a foreign diplomat for a European country. She actually works on the peace treaties and more. Most of my time with her I just listened to her talk about the refugee crisis, European politics, and Syria. She had so much to say and was so knowledgable.

We spent the entire day together on Railay after rock climbing. The rest of our day was unplanned so we decided to find the blue lagoon. This took much longer than expected, since getting there required actual climbing and rapeling down some very steep, semi-frightening, and muddy vertical drops. On that journey we met two British guys, who we then roamed around the rest of the island with. While we’re all looking for the Penis Cave (this is a real thing), we stumble onto a Korean TV show being filmed. Obviously, I’m now running around trying to get in the background. The four of us attempt to get onto the show and try to talk to the K-pop star, who I spot due to his bright and exciting hairstyle. Look out for us on episode 53 on what’s definitely an uber-popular hit show in Korea, “Where is My Friend’s Home.”

K and I were originally supposed to meet up with the two Brits later in the evening, but we were too tired and instead found the nearest food stand to grab a bite. While ordering delicious and cheap pad thai, two South African guys begin talking to us, R and J. We talk for a while, learning about Africa, violence in Johannesburg, and tips on safaris. K and I are both trying to figure out our next steps in our journey. I’m battling between going up north or spending more time on the beaches in Koh Lanta. Ultimately we learn that the guys are leaving the next morning for Bangkok— but they’re driving there. I don’t remember how we got to this point, but their suggestion was inevitable: “You two should join us on our road trip!”

This is probably one of those things you would never do back home. 30 minutes after meeting two random men and agreeing to go on a three day road trip with them in a foreign country? If I did this at home, everyone would call me crazy. But the rules are different when you’re traveling. K was the first to say yes. Hold on— Lady K, the diplomat and princess, said yes? Of course, this pushed me over the edge. I was in too.

In less than 12 hours we were in the car ready to go. What happened after is three days of adventure and connection: finding hot springs that were so painful to get into, climbing up a ridiculous number of steps to reach a golden buddha, deep conversation about the real reason we’re all single, and me discovering a deep passion for photography. Had I not said yes, I would have probably taken a long, lonely, and boring bus ride back to Bangkok in which I learned nothing. It’s not the craziest thing I could have done, like jumping off a cliff, but it was sort of thrilling to know I had made such a spontaneous decision. It proved to me that life is way better like this.

While working at Vertigo, my coworkers and I determined our Myers-Briggs personality types, and I got ENFP. For each personality type, we looked up their definition of personal hell. Mine was classified as “every minute of the rest of your life has been scheduled for you – and it’s a long series of arbitrary, solitary tasks.” It was—and still is— ridiculous how much that statement rang true. This seems hypocritical, because back home I kept a crazy intense color-coded google calendar that outlined every detail of my life, but mostly because I liked to see that my life was jam-packed full of activities. When I’m traveling though? It’s not possible, and it’s not fun.

Yes, we are creatures of habit, but life can get so… monotonous. A predictable life is a boring life.

Not feeling a place? Leave. Love a place so much it hurts to say goodbye? Stay another week. Curious about a new place you’ve never been to? Just go. Someone invites you to do something you would never really do? Get out of your comfort zone and say yes. See someone else eating alone? Go talk to them. Move in with someone two days after meeting them? Absolutely. Make an amazing friend on the bus who’s headed to another country, and then change your ticket halfway through to cross the border with them? Yep.

So here is my hippy traveler self telling you what I’ve always known, but am finally living. Embrace the unknown! Be curious! Say yes more. Book that ticket. Face your fears. Be flexible. Know that everything will always work out. You’ll make more friends, have amazing new experiences, have endless amounts of fun, and be much happier.

Besides, no matter how scheduled a person you are, travel has its own agenda, and it’s way better than anything you had originally planned.

February 13, 2016
Chiang Mai’s Hidden Gems

I can’t stop talking about Chiang Mai!!! I love it. I spent nearly two weeks in the city but I easily could have spent the entire month there. One day I’ll live there. I had already done all the touristy stuff during my last visit to Chiang Mai, so I made it a point to get out of the Old City and really explore the surrounding areas. It paid off, and I found four amazing areas around Chiang Mai that most people never get to. I’m going to be a good citizen and share these with the world.

The Sticky Waterfall

Otherwise known as the Bua Thong Waterfalls, these limestone waterfalls are so fun to spend a day at. A friend and I took a motorcycle out there, about an hour’s drive. We eventually found them after getting lost. There aren’t a lot of people around, unless a tour group comes by. There are three different levels to the waterfalls, but it’s best to start at the very bottom and walk all the way up to the top. So glad I made it out here, it was worth the long drive (and getting very lost). Lounging around on the waterfall while the water crashes down around you is a lovely feeling.

The Forest Temple

This temple in the forest, Wat Pha Lat, is hidden behind the Chiang Mai Zoo, way past the university. I walked all the way there, which took about two hours, but it was a great hike up. After walking past the zoo, there’s a sign that indicates the start of the monk’s path. It was maybe about a 30 minute hike up. The path was indicated by strips of orange cloth wrapped on the trees. There were only two other people there when I got to the temple, making it the most serene and peaceful temple I had ever been to. This was truly a very zen place, perfect for meditation. I took to writing in my journal on the rocks over the river as I look out at the killer view of Chiang Mai. The atmosphere was so tranquil and made you feel so at peace with life. Absolutely my favorite place in Chiang Mai now.

The Terracotta Garden

So, this is in the Old City, but on northeast side which most tourists don’t venture to. There’s a cafe here now, which makes it a great place to focus and do work. There are tons of broken terracotta statues around here which are amazing to photograph.

Wat Suan Dok

This temple is enormous and also doubles as a university for the monks. Tourists don’t usually venture to this part of Chiang Mai, which is only just north of the Old City. Monk Chat can also be found here. I found the most interesting part to be the white mausoleums, which contain the ashes of the royal family of Chiang Mai. This funeral ground is stunningly beautiful, especially in the evening when the light is perfect.

February 9, 2016
Monk Chat

I spent a long time in Chiang Mai and had the chance to explore the surrounding are moreso than I had before. I have always loved Chiang Mai, but this experience made me fall in love with it even more.

I learned about an opportunity to talk to monks and help them improve their English. This sounded fun and worthwhile to me, so I headed on over to Wat Suan Dok. The temple also doubles as a university (makes sense since it’s also right next to the Chiang Mai University) for the monks. As I was wandering around the temple trying to find the Monk Chat center, I suddenly saw these beautiful white structures. I eventually find Monk Chat, walking inside timidly not knowing what to expect. I see three monks sitting there, two of whom are already speaking to a German couple. I’m paired with the remaining monk, who looks about my age.

Seated across from him, I introduce myself.

O: “My name is Ottama.”

V: “I’m Vandana.”

O: “Van-da-na? Teach me how to say it correctly.”

This is a complete sidenote, but warranted: a person’s name is the sweetest thing someone can hear (thank you How to Win Friends and Influence People, for teaching me this, and subsequently now impressing everyone I meet that I remember their name). I try extremely hard now to remember someone’s name and pronounce it correctly. No one is bad at names. No, you are just lazy and don’t care enough to remember someone’s name. So, if you can remember my name or pronounce it correctly, or more unlikely, both, I will instantly like you.

Needless to say, Ottama was a master at this, so I immediately approved him as a buddy. He began to ask me questions in very good English, pausing every so often to search for the correct word.

O: “Where are you from?”

V: “America!”

O: “Oh! America! I want to go there!”

V: “I’m from San Francisco, California. You should come!”

O: “One day. I want to go to California first. I have friends in Texas and Ohio.”

V: “Really? What are they doing there?”

O: “Yes, they disrobed.”

V: “Disrobing?”

O: “My friend quit being a monk to pursue different studies at the university and now is working in America.”
I had no idea that this was possible. It seems obvious that one could quit being a monk, but the thought had never come across my mind. I assumed they were in it for life. I wondered why one would quit.

I learn that he’s from Myanmar, but came to Chiang Rai because the opportunity to learn English and complete his studies was better in Thailand. He is delighted to learn that I’ve been to Myanmar. I show him all my photos which brings a huge smile to his face.

We continue to discuss everything: his background, studying as a monk, traveling, music, TV, Mr. Bean…

V: “So, are you allowed to listen to music? What do you like?”

O: “Umm.. Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, Justin Bieber—”

V: “You like the Biebs?!”

O: “Yeah! Baby baby baby!!”

I am so surprised by this but I love it. And he doesn’t stop there.

O: “Also One Direction. Except now they only have four people!”

At this point I’m laughing so hard that he knows this fact and sort of cares. Yes, I know, Zayn left. It was a sad day for One Direction (#tbt to that time I saw One Direction in concert front row standing next to a 40 year old mom. It was awesome).

Though he’s allowed to listen to music, there’s so many other activities he can’t participate it. He is barred from playing any instruments, which I discover after telling him I love playing the piano. Monks can’t play any sports. They can only wear a specified 9 colors, but he wears primarily orange and brown as most do in Thailand. They must shave their heads. Their robes must cover all skin. Men and women can’t touch. They aren’t allowed to have any tattoos, save for the one he tattooed on himself as a boy— a picture of a leaf from the bodhi tree.

I ask him what his day is like.

“I wake up at 5am. Sometimes. Sometimes I am lazy and do not wake up for morning chant,” he says laughing and I do too. I’d probably do the same. Cheeky guy.

“Then we have alms ceremony. We get donations of food and money from the local people. Then we eat our morning meal. I have some classes and meditation. Sometimes there are prayers. We have the last meal of the day. Then I study or do Facebook.”

Hold on, you have a Facebook? He pulls out his smartphone to show me. I’m now regretting not friending him on Facebook. Of course monks have Facebooks.

I ask him if he has a favorite food. Their meals are simple and meager, the remainder of their food for the day coming from the donations during the alms ceremony.

“I don’t have favorite. In Buddhism you do not have favorites. We simply accept what we are given and I am happy with that. As a monk, we have two duties: meditation, and to learn and to teach.”

He comments that Americans are very curious. I ask what he means by this.

O: “Yeah! You are always asking why, why, why. We do not do that. We do not speak out.”

He explains that in Asia there is an ingrained fear of speaking out against authority and asking why. Those who questioned the king were killed. Those who questioned their teachers were hit. They were raised to believe that their superiors were always right, but Ottama admits that this is not true.

We get on the topic of cremation and death. I teach him the word ashes, which he writes down in his little notebook to remember for later. He learns the word pescatarian from me, because he’s a Buddhist vegetarian who sometimes cheats and has fish. He teaches me about the Pali language, which is the Buddhist language. As a boy, he wanted to learn this language. He saw the other novices and wanted to be like them. That is how he decided to become a monk.

Monk Chat was eye-opening for me. For some reason, I had a very simplistic view of all monks which was unfair and wrong. They just lead a different way of life, based on their faith and spirituality. I had an amazing time just learning from Ottama and laughing with him. The entire experience was so invigorating. Learning about their way of life and Buddhist ideology is incredibly interesting, so I try to talk to monks all the time now in every country whenever I visit temples. Monks—they’re just like us! Taking selfies, hooked on Facebook, and listen to T-Swift.

February 6, 2016