Lampang

Alrighty! I finally sat down to sort out pictures from my time in Lampang. As I mentioned in an earlier post, my host parents arranged for me to stay with a friend for a few days so that I could see a different part of Thailand.

Wat Phra That Doi Kham, Chiang Mai
I'm warning y'all now that the following observations are being detailed by a clueless bystander. I wish I could write more about what I witnessed, but I really had no clue what was going on, or why, until I googled things later. We made the two hour drive from Lampang to Chiang Mai to visit the Temple of the Golden Mountain. On the drive up the mountain, there are dozens of vendors selling assorted jasmine flowers. You can then add your jasmine to the flowery mass you see below and make a wish.

We also brought offerings: water, napkins, candles, and money. The monks went around to one small group at a time to accept the offerings and then chant a blessing over the group. He spoke in Thai, of course, so don't ask what he was saying. I felt a splash of water on my head and shoulders at one point, so I'm assuming he doused us with holy water while we were kneeling. Afterwards, he tossed us little white bracelets for good fortune. My family told me that the bracelets are made by the monks themselves and blessed in advance to giving them out.

After being blessed, we took some time to enjoy the view from atop the mountain, before heading back to our car. I didn't take a picture of this, but as you leave, there are lottery tickets being sold every few feet. I guess now we know what some people were wishing for with their jasmine.

  
 

Asahna Bucha Day
I didn't take a lot of pictures at the temple on this day, because I was more focused on observing everything around me. PP explained that on Asahna Bucha Day, people go to the temple to bring offerings. They then walk around the shrine three times while carrying flowers and burning incense in a ceremony called wian tian. At different points of the walk, you chant mantras, before finally leaving your flowers in one of the giant bowls located around the shrine. The holiday is very important to the Buddhist religion as it celebrates when the Buddha told the monks of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. The ceremony was very simple but very beautiful at the same time. While I may not always understand the ceremonies being performed, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to witness the different aspects of the Thai culture and Buddhist faith.

Fun fact: It is on this holiday that many young men enter the monkhood. 

 

Elephants
Before I share any pictures of elephants, I have to take a step onto my soapbox first, so bear with me for a minute. Elephants are a huge attraction for tourists in Thailand; however, many places are incredibly cruel to these beautiful creatures. They are often beaten and starved into submission from a young age, all for the sake of giving crowd pleasing shows and jungle trek rides. I did a lot of research to find a reputable place. I wanted to visit a sanctuary for rescued elephants and volunteer for a day, not see a circus show featuring mistreated animals. I was unable to travel to a sanctuary, but the family I stayed with arranged to take me to the elephant hospital. I was hoping it would be a good compromise, but I cannot say that this was a 100% reputable place. They have a hospital where they supposedly rescue and care for elephants, but they also put on three shows a day and give rides. I have no way of knowing how they train the elephants. I did enjoy getting the chance to feed and pet the elephants, but I feel awful about the possibility of it being under poor circumstances. Should you, or someone you know, travel to Thailand, please do your homework and spread the message. Visit a sanctuary, or volunteer for a day. #savetheelephants