My Favorite Monk Ceremony!!!

Sunday, May 19th - 2013!!!  This has to be one of my top highlights yet!  This was SO different from the other two monk initiation ceremonies that I went to!  It started out with music, singing and dancing - and oh yes, drinking!!!  Then more music, singing, dancing and drinking!  The music, singing, dancing and drinking lasted the ENTIRE time throughout this incredible ceremony!  Here are my favorite pictures of one of my favorite days!

It started out when an ordinary man walked out into the party with just a sarong on and I soon learned that he was the man to soon become a monk.  I took his picture!  Luckily, because now I have the before and AFTER!!!

Shortly thereafter he was placed in the center of the courtyard.  A basket of banana leaves set on his lap.  Then out came the scissors!  Scissors of all shapes and colors!  First the only 'real' monk started slowing cutting his locks and placing the hair in the banana basket!  Then one by one scissors were passed around and I took took part in the process too.  When most of his hair was blessed off, then came the water and soap!  Lathered to perfection it was time for the monk, once again, to begin the ritual of shaving the new monks head.

The new monk has a large wort on the back of his head and much care was taken as to not shave off the wort!  Slowing and carefully the monk shaved the man's head.  The man himself shaved his own mustache!  I never saw the eyebrows come off, but they did!  After he was completely shaved and clean many stood in line (myself included) and poured water from a 'dirty' bucket over the monks shoulders and head!  Maybe there were some special blessings inside the bucket that just appeared dirty to me?  I am uncertain about that - as I am uncertain about a lot of this 'special' ceremony!

If I turned away for too long to sip on my cocktail I would miss a lot!!!  When I looked back they were smearing some yellow goop all over the top half of his body!!!  Was I drinking too much?  It kept getting weirder and weirder...but stranger things were still to come!

Again, they drenched him with buckets and buckets of water - I was afraid they were going to drown the poor guy!    When that part was over he went upstairs....and I followed!!!  I didn't see him change into his white ornate ceremonial monk outfit, but he did - and it was beautifully adored with many, many gold Buddha necklaces - which I saw him often admire!

Next he was sitting in front of a makeup artist!!!  (One cannot make this shit up!!!)  If the other monk ceremonies that I went to did this - it was for sure behind closed doors!!!

A well dressed lady began meticulously applying face makeup all over his head and face, giving particular attention to the wort!  The newly shaved eyebrows were now drawn back on, including eyeliner and lipstick!!!  It took quite a long time to get his look just right!  She then took off all the large, beautiful rings she was wearing and put them on his fingers!   He was looking rather pretty and finally ready for the official ceremony!

There was a nice lengthy ceremony upstairs with just me and a few of the family and his closest friends!  Ha!  Everyone else was still down stairs playing music, singing and dancing - oh, and did I mention drinking???  After much chanting and prayers and the official blessings by the monk who tied some strings around his wrists, which had to be of great importance, as people kept making sure I was getting pictures of that!

Next he sat in front of a large white clothed stature - I never saw what was under that cloth???  He next put on designer sunglasses and kept looking at himself in the mirror!!!  I think he needed a drink!!! And I'm sure he wanted one as the basket of his farewell blessings included whiskey, a full shot glass, cigarettes and money!  He must have been a wild ass - that's probably why he is choosing to become a monk!

After much time passed...our 'gorgeous' monk got up and EVERYONE followed him as he left in the back of a highly decorated pickup truck for the temple!  My batteries were dead (both on my camera and in my body) and Goy had just arrived so I chose not to go to the temple.  But I bet they all continued to sing and dance around the temple three times!  That I know for sure! 

Beauty Around the World

I guess I never gave it much thought before...but since my recent day trip to Burma I see 'beauty' in a whole new light!  Every culture has what they perceive to be 'beauty', I understood that to a degree before.  However, once I learned more about 'Thanakha' I've contemplated what World Beauty is all about.  We all see it SO differently!  And 'beauty' is perceived vastly different everywhere I have been.

I, as an American, always thought that a 'tanned hide', groomed hair, lightly applied skin toned makeup and a slender body was a good look.  I always wanted a tan I couldn't get,  so I would 'spray' it on.  I've had eyelash extensions applied thinking it would open up and give my eyes a more beautiful and 'dramatic' look!  We all know the American culture is obsessed with grooming and spend a fortune obtaining 'our' look.  I am as guilty of that as anyone!

But the Asians are the complete opposite!  Although they too spend a lot of money on their beauty, they are obsessed with bleaching their skin to make it whiter and lighter.  Why is it we always want the opposite of what we are born with?  However, it is well known throughout history that darker skin represents working in the field, while light skin means you are fortunate, lucky and have been blessed with an easier life having been more 'protected' from the extreme elements.  I am learning to embrace my 'white' look here...my 'spray tan' wore off months ago!

Just the other day and beautiful Thai lady looked at me and said I had such beautiful skin!!!  ME?   Everyone who knows me knows I do not have good skin!!!  I have had years of serious sun exposure growing up in the summers on the lake in Minnesota, years of living in Mexico and a life time of searching out the best beach vacations destinations around the world.  I go to the dermatologist on a regular basis!  But I thanked her and thought about it...at length!

In Thailand the 'beauty' of choice is tattooed eyebrows!  Dramatic and harsh and often permanently tattooed not even where their eyebrows naturally grow!!!

BUT the Burmese...their beauty come from 'thanakha' - meaning "cosmetic for beautifying the face".  It is made from the bark of a tree, soaked, ground and pulverized on a flat stone, into a fine fragrant yellow powdery paste.  It has been used for centuries and now can be purchased commercially packaged.  Sometimes applied with intention and design and other times smeared on in a haphazardly manner.  They see each way as 'beautiful' and truly is their beauty treatment of choice.  It is also used as a sunblock, oil absorber, acne treatment and a cooling aid for prickly heat!  But if it is used as sunblock why don't they put it all over their body?  I've only seen it applied on their face.  Although thanakha is often used by women for makeup, I had a hard time getting the 'beautiful' women to let me take their pictures, so unfortunately most of my pictures are of young boys. They seem more open to life and were curious with me too!

All I really know is that my 'white' skins feels so much better here in the tropics.  The humid air has sloughed off my dry skin and there is a natural moisture and smooth feel to my skin now.  My hair and nails feel better too.  And I know that I radiate from the inside with happiness.

Serene Life at Surin's

My life feels like a dream.  Here I luckily sit alone outside of a largely adorned white walled home in Chiang Mai, Thailand - alone, but not lonely.  I love this tropical air and the feel of it on my skin, even the fresh mosquito bites I somehow get without seeing or hearing a single soul swarming around me, I embrace.  I am surrounded by waterfall fountains, orchids and the sounds of song birds both inside and outside of cages.  They talk.  Bicycles, cars, trucks and motorcycles are busy outside the wall and distant voices, both young and old, can be heard if you listen.  It's a menagerie of beautiful sights and sounds.  I listen.  So different than the world I left just months ago.  Although Surin is not home, her carport is filled with five parked cars, two which are covered and live under wrap, two new motorcycles and three bicycles in view from my chair.  There are two heavily decorated Thai gazebos with fans and lights and orchids of every color.  I call them beautifully glorified picnic tables.  By the front gate there is a small ornate shrine where someone puts a glass of fresh water out to bless Buddha everyday.  There are many different ceramic yard ornaments in lilly padded ponds of every thing imaginable, but mostly elephants and Buddhas.  The glass table I am writing on has a nice silk table cloth purposely recessed under the glass.  I can count four large outdoor bird cages, several very large bird-nest ferns and many, many hanging ferns and orchids in and around the large tropical trees.  It is sprinkling rain and the air is clean and humid.  The feel and sound of the leaves blowing gives a welcomed slight cool breeze.  The one lone dog, 'Euro' has a good life here!

Who is inside the cage, who is out?  Who is inside the wall, who is out?  Only Buddha knows that we are all one.

Double Monk Ceremony in Phitsanulok,Thailand

I'll never look at a monk again in the same light!  I always thought that monks were men holier than Thou, but what I have learned here in Thailand is that men around the age of 20 go into a 'temporary monk-hood' as an honor to their parents for a period of one to four weeks.  It's a Thai tradition - it's a party for everyone but the monks!  Some men even use it as a drug and alcohol rehab center!  I've seen monks with cell phones, cameras, iPads, with tattoos and have even seen a monk smoking!  I've seen old monks and young monks and everything in between.  They fascinate me!  But I cannot touch them!!!  Here is one of the ceremonies that I attended.  Everyone must parade and dance around the temple three times!  There is a band playing loud music and I even had a shot of someone's whiskey!  Envelopes of money are given after being blessed, which I did, to the temple.  There are new temples popping up everywhere!  At this ceremony I was asked to carry one of the gold baskets of blessings at the front of the 'parade'!

Loving Life in Thailand

I am loving my time in Thailand.  I have been visiting friends and feel surrounded by love and thankful for their friendship and hospitality!

Today I was in a crowded van going into Bangkok and was seated directly behind a passenger in the front seat.  After about an hour I realized that he was not moving!  I got concerned and looked around the headrest and realized it was a young monk.  Then I became more enthralled and watched for movement!  Nothing!  While I was fidgeting ~ he sat calm.  I kept up my constant fidgeting as I was cramped for space and my feet were falling asleep.  He remained motionless.  The van stopped for gas in the pouring rain and the monk remained still.  He seemed like the only thing in the world that was not in motion.  But then wait....I see movement!  He moved and slowly reached into his bag and pulled out his iPad!!!  Ahhhh....to be enlightened in 2013!!!

The young monks just aren't what they used to be!  Ha!

Moving on...

So I dumped my well worn boots and left them in my hotel room in Narita along with some well worn socks - looking at the temperatures in Bangkok, it was 90 degrees there this morning at 10 AM!  (Sorry Minnesota....don't mean to rub it in - but you all might be TOO hot there anyway!!!)  But for me...I love the tropics and can't wait to feel the heat, see the beauty of the swaying palm trees and breath the thick, warm air!!!  So, so long boots and hats and gloves....I'm moving on!  I had an incredible five weeks in Japan and ten glorious days in South Korea - so many great experiences that I've had a hard time keeping up with my journal, Facebook and blog!  Not sure when I will have wifi again, so wanted to let you all know who are reading this...that I am happy...am happy with all of the decisions that I have made in my life and again I must say.....I am blessed beyond belief!  My new favorite saying that I came up with in Busan/Pusan is - AIM YOUR ENERGY - and I intend to do just that!!!  And I hope you do too!  God bless you all...and God bless all the victims in Boston...

Life in South Korea

Life in South Korea is amazing and Seoul has SO much to offer, and it makes me sad to really realize  that the people in North Korea have SO little...

I cannot do justice in the brief 10 days that I have here - I am sorry that I did not allow more time.  It has been difficult for me to post often as I am so busy living life and am 'dead dog tired' by the end of the day.  However I am taking the train to Busan in the early morning and am in hopes of being able to spend some time and recapture some of the beautiful moments I have experienced.

Life is good in the South...and now I am heading further south...how much better can it get???   Oh yeah, there's the beach!!!!