Temple Time

Today is Temple Time. My tour guide suggests a temple walk through Chiang Mai, which leads through interesting streets to the most beautiful temples. I usually find these walks quite good and enjoy doing them, but today I still don't feel 100% fit and maybe decide to take on one first. The first monks are already shining brightly in their cheerful orange robes on the street. Wat Chedi Luang is the largest and most magnificent temple in the city. I'm lucky, the monks are deep in prayer. I just sit on the carpet and listen to the melodic sing-song of the prayer leader. I like the spiritual atmosphere in houses of worship of all religions and let my thoughts roam free.

On my left hand, colored flags are sold with the Buddhist animals of the birth year embossed in gold. You can buy them, write something on them, and then hang your wish on a long line. The flags sway beautifully in the breeze of the fan, which promises a bit of refreshment in this scorching heat. The sun is blazing like crazy as I step out of the temple again. By the way, this photo is NOT edited, the colors are real. Anyone who can seeks a spot in the shade. Behind Wat Chedi Luang rises the 60m high ruin of the Chedi destroyed by an earthquake.

I continue leisurely to the next temple of this remarkable complex. There is so much to admire here.

Without intending to, I spend quite a lot of time here. The atmosphere is special and captivates me.

On the other side of the Chedi, there are tables and chairs in the shade at several places for interested people who want to engage in conversation with the monks waiting there. Everyone is invited to ask questions about what they have always wanted to know, don't understand, and to discuss what appears problematic... "Talk with Monks" is a fixed institution in Chiang Mai and is unanimously recommended as a special highlight by the tour guides. I am surprised how many people, especially young people, take advantage of this offer. They seem very absorbed in the conversation, which apparently is conducted with great seriousness. Obviously, a nerve is being touched here and a great need is being met. I think that's great. With a nice joke and the mention of my brightly orange t-shirt, with which I seamlessly blend in with the monks color-wise, I am invited to join in the conversation. But I don't want to and decline with a laugh. I don't feel like talking now and just want to enjoy being here.

Right next door is Wat Phan Tao, a viharn constructed of teak wood. This temple looks completely different from the ones I have seen here in Thailand. I am astonished that in the middle of the temple, the sewing station for the monk robes is set up. Christina and Bettina would like that. This immediately triggers in me the desire for a sociable collective sewing session with a nice glass of ice-cold champagne. Or two, hehe.

I immediately notice that the whole temple is being cleaned, renovated, and made beautiful here as well. In the small garden with a pond behind the temple, small lanterns are hung in the trees.

In the streets and in the restaurants, lanterns are also being upgraded. I suspect that Chiang Mai is dressing up for the upcoming Lantern Festival Loy Krathong. This festival is celebrated throughout Thailand, but Chiang Mai is especially famous for it and THE place. This year it will take place on November 22nd, but unfortunately, I will no longer be here. Although I would love to see this magical sight of thousands of lanterns rising into the night sky, it is not worth staying here just for that, as it would take away from my precious beach time. It has gotten dark now and the other temples are closed and have to be postponed until tomorrow. And I'm hungry. After an overdose of rice, I'm drawn to Arno's Chiang Mai, the burger forge around the corner. And with a Chang (Thai beer), the magnificent guy can be washed down wonderfully. Yummie!