Alright boys and girls... Open your textbooks, it's time for a small cultural lesson about the Thai people. I hope you didn't think you would follow the blog without learning a thing or two. This will be the last post before we travel to the even smaller island of Ko Phangan. And with the departure of Michelle's parents to Japan we will have to start dipping into our own pockets to get the use of internet :( I promise to make this learning experience worth your while because at the end of this post we have for your viewing pleasure pictures of monkeys!!!!
1. Remember cooler heads prevail don't get angry or violent, if you put a smile on your face every interaction will be successful.
2. Always remove your shoes when entering someone's domicile or a temple. The feet are considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body. Do not in any circumstance touch or point with your feet. This would be equivalent to giving the middle finger to someone of European background.
3. Try to dress modestly in public. While the beach might be the place to show off that bikini body, the general public is not!
4. Personal Displays of Affection are becoming more tolerated but that doesn't mean have a make out session at the back of the bus. Hand holding gets a pass but much of anything else is considered bad etiquette.
5. Honking is not considered rude or inconsiderate. It is mainly to let the driver know that he/she is there and wants to get your attention.
6. Women are not allowed to sit adjacent to or touch monks or his personal items. Michelle has heard stories where a monk had to go back to the beginning of his teachings when touched by a female despite being of elder status. (Bummer!)
7. Always remember to stand when national anthem is played. We went to a movie last week and two foreign travelers looked bewildered when everyone started to rise. At youth, Thais are taught to respect the royal family and their country and to my knowledge none of them have tried to "Occupy"any government or parliamentary buildings.
8. In the never ending pursuit of beauty, countries where there is a warmer climate and constant sun "white skin is in." While most western cultures are looking for the perfect tan, most Thais are looking to avoid it. They go as far as getting whitening lotions (pictured below) and using umbrellas. Most Thai celebrities have a lighter pigment to their skin.
Randomly we will try to give more insights on the Thai culture and that of the other countries we visit. The beauty of traveling not only lies in the landscape, but more importantly in the people we interact with. It truly gives you perspective and makes the journey that much more rewarding.
Buddha Temple
This game cost 10 Bahts and Michelle and her Mum were eager to play. You fish out a bottle cap and whatever number appears under the cap coincides with a prize. I was praying for toilet paper but Michelle got a razor shaver and her Mom got fish oil.
A beautiful landscape just below the Wan Waterfalls. Unfortunately, the locals set up barricades before certain viewpoints and tourist areas in order to get your money so we never actually saw the falls but beautiful none the less. It is very disheartening but a necessary measure to squeeze tourist dollars.
Swept her off her feet!
George, George, George of the Jungle, Watch out For that Tree... I have been looking my whole life for vines in order to swing tree to tree. I had to test it to see if it would hold my weight and sure enough, WAHOO!!!
And now the moment you have been waiting for (cue the music): MONKEYS!!!
Ebony and Ivory
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