Motorcycle Monks and Building a Buddha

Wherever you are  in Thailand there is a wat (Buddhist temple) nearby.  There are a few within walking distance of my home, and many more within driving distance.  I met a work crew building a statue of Buddha at the wat near my house.  Like most Thais they were very friendly and let me hang out with them for a while.  Here are some pictures of them and their work.

 

Monks are generally very friendly and love to talk.  Sometimes this is called "monk chat."  Extra points if you can guess the topic of this monk's chat.

This is Ja, one of the artist's on the crew building a statue of the Buddha.

This is Tu, who is married to Ja.  Tu listens to American country music while working.



Another member of the crew.  Note the covers to protect their work from the rain.  Even though it dumped rain for a few hours every day, the wet concrete and paint was never damaged.

Monks at the wat participate in the work.  They are hard working and usually do the dirty jobs.

Almost done.  It took a crew of five about a month to complete the statue.

 

 

 

 

Above is Wat Pribath.  It's one of the most beautiful temples I've seen.  If you ever visit northern Thailand you might want to rent a motorcycle and visit this place.

Even artists need to eat.  Some of the crew take a break at the nearby fast food establishment.  On the menu:  rice, pork, veggies, and beer.

Here he is again, the same monk at the begining of this post.  He was very interested in our motorcycles and he talked a lot about them.  He told us that he once owned a Ducati.  When asked what happeded to it, he told us that he sold it to a friend before becoming a monk.  I asked if he wanted to take a spin on mine, but he politely declined.  "I'm not allowed when I'm wearing my robes" he said.  The next time you see a guy on a motorcycle, be kind.  He might be a Hell's Angel, or, he could be a monk. 

Bua Tong Water Fall

I get around on my Kawasaki Ninja.  It's more fun than skiing, and easier on your knees and back.  If you ever come to northern Thailand you'll find that it's motorcycle heaven.

I have lost count of how many times I’ve started out with good weather and then had to pull off the road and shelter until the rain passes. It might be a few minutes, it might be an hour.  But sheltering is better than riding in the rain. 

If you are lucky there will be a shelter, or sala, where you can sit out the rain.  It's a good time to chat with friends, read a map, or pactice meditation.  It will definitely hone your patience skills.

This water fall is within an hour's ride from my home.  It's my favorite place to go for some peace and quet.

Buathong Waterfall is about a thirty to forty minute ride from my house.  But to see the falls you have to hike down a slippery trail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Thailand’s heat and humidity moss grows anywhere that is shaded from sunlight, even on asphalt.  It’s slippery stuff, and can be compared to walking or driving on ice.

 
Northern Thailand is wet and green most of the year. 

I hiked down the boardwalk and along the trail and encountered a group of teenage Thai boys taking a dip in one of the small pools in the rocks.  I asked them for permission to take their picture and they agreed, but only after extinguishing their cigarettes.  Inquiring why they weren’t in school (I could tell they were schoolboys by the pile of school uniforms piled nearby) they said they were on their way to the dentist.  “Thuk khon pai mor-fun, mai?” (You’re all going to the dentist?) I asked.  Guilty smiles (and perfect teeth) turned to laughter; but they still wouldn’t let me photograph them while they smoked 

 

The water fall is actually a series of cascades formed with water flowing from an nearby spring.  The water is loaded with calcium, which deposits on the rocks, and doesn't promote growth of algae, so you can walk in the middle of the stream without fear of slipping.

 

 

Above is my name written in Thai script.  It means "tiger jumps over chicken to get fish."  Well, that's what they tell me.  Do you think they might have been pulling my leg?  A little bit?