Buddhas, Wat Suthat, Bangkok
A lineup of golden Buddhas at Wat Suthat, Bangkok. I’ve never understood why the multiple images, but I wonder if it doesn’t symbolize that Nirvana is open to everyone.
Thailand
Temple Roof, Wat Pho, Bangkok
Every inch of Wat Pho in Bangkok is decorated with some colorful shape, either entirely abstract, or drawn from nature. The architects took special care to repeat shapes throughout the … Read more
Temple Towers at Wat Pho, Bangkok
The temple complex of Wat Pho in Bangkok was full of pure decoration like these towers, festooned with thousands of colorful ceramic flowers. Such a departure from the sober Christian … Read more
Lamp Pole, Bangkok
When you wander around Bangkok, the evidence of religion–or at least spirituality–is everywhere. You don’t have to wait til you get to a temple.
Bangkok: 8 Things in 8 Days
I don’t know why I picked eight things to tell you about Bangkok. It’s an arbitrary number, I know. But, I’ve heard that eight is generally regarded as a lucky number in Asia. I was in Bangkok for eight days. That might have something to do with it, but I don’t like to read too much into these things.
The Two Most Important Things About Chiang Mai
For those who have never had a Thai massage, you’re in for something different. In contrast to the soothing, along-the-line-of-the-muscle Swedish style prevalent in the US, the Thais believe that they should rub hard across the grain of the muscle. This has the effect of stretching your connective tissues, such as tendons and ligaments, in directions they’ve probably never been in before. Honestly, it hurts. But, after it’s over, you’ll ask yourself why the hell haven’t I been doing this all my life?