Temple Tour

I decided to go for a walking tour of the temples inside the moat. The density of Wats in Chiang Mai is incredible. If you're within the moat, chances are you can see one (sometimes two) from where you're standing. Each seems to has its own defining feature, some more glitzy than others. After seeing a dozen or so, it is hard to pick them apart in my memory. I always enjoy watching the locals give their offering to the Buddha, usually flowers with a wai (bow). I also enjoy seeing monks out and about during the day. (I saw one in the mall, which made me smile). They stand out in their orange robes, and they are calm and quiet and barefoot. The younger boy monks-in-training are less calm and more smiley. I like that.

I also stopped in the Center for Arts and Culture where I learned all about the history of Chiang Mai. After the tour of the museum, there was a little room off to the side that had a small group of adults huddled on the floor. I stepped in quietly to see what they were up to. Amongst the chitter chatter in Thai, they gestured for me to come in. I took of my shoes and joined them on the floor. It was arts and crafts time! Somehow with the language barrier we were able to laugh and smile and gesture instructions. I made a little frog by weaving colorful bamboo strips. As I was heading out, the instructor gave me a swan hanging by a string on a stick as well as a flower to put in my hair. It was really sweet. They were probably just saying, "What a silly foreign girl. Just give her more toys to take home." Either way, it made my day.

I continued on my tour of the Wats and came across a group of young girls who were doing an English project and wanted to interview me. I answered simple questions like "Do I like the food here?" "Do you think Thailand is really the Land of Smiles?" (Yes, and yes.) I explained to them I was going to teach at the University and I live here now. All of their faces lit up. This is when I realized that I am going to be respected in the community and not viewed as just another tourist.

It was the third time that day I told someone that "I live here." I'm finally starting to believe myself.