My host mom works for AIG insurance company and this weekend she had to travel up north to Chiang Rai for work so I got to go with her. We got to stay at a five star hotel called Dusit Island Resort and had a great time. Two of her nieces went with us, and they showed me around the city and took me to visit this really interesting temple called Wat Rong Khun (or the "white temple" by foreigners). While most Buddhist temples are made of wood and are painted red and gold, this temple is made of concrete, painted white, and overlaid with pieces of glass.
The inside of the temple is really interesting as well. The artist mixed pieces of modern culture with traditional Buddhist art in a really interesting mural that tells the story of human confusion and the path to enlightenment through darmah. Osama Bin Laden, George Bush, Spider Man, Super Man, and even Angry birds make and an appearance in the painting. I wish that I could have taken a picture of it, but the artist won't allow any photography of his unique work.
After seeing the temple, I had a delicious traditional Thai dinner and watched a light show at the clock tower in the middle of the city. It was beautiful. The next day, I got to eat breakfast and hang out at the resort while my host mom gave her presentation. The pool was beautiful and felt great in the hot weather. It was funny because the Thai people all thought that it was super cold even though the temperature barely dropped below 70 degrees. They thought I was crazy for going swimming, but I had a great time with the pool all to myself.
 |
| Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple) |
 |
A depiction of the souls lost in confusion and never reaching
nirvana. |
 |
| The clock tower in the middle of Chiang Rai. |
 |
| The river next to the hotel. |
 |
| Dusit Island Resort |
So tell us more about these nieces, you better bring home some pacific babe by the time your through there. Did you bring your soap box to stand on and preach the gospel to them at the temple? Or did you go buddah belly on us and your now half to Nirvanha or somethin? Alright this...
ReplyDeleteDus - it, Jake. You've actually gone to Thailand and reached Nirvana, leaving your roommates in a swirling wake of confusion...will we ever reach Nirvana like BWB?! Way to rep CA with a Beverly Hills picture-by-the-pool. We're missing you, and thanks for keepin' us posted in the blogosphere!
ReplyDeleteJake, what a great trip, and what a host mom! Way to show the Thai people what temps are appropriate for swimming.
ReplyDelete