Monday, January 27, 2025

 Dental Work and Mala Repair

With trepidation, trying not to have negative thoughts and hearing the word “no”, I arrived at the jewelry store I’d stopped at on Friday night, this time with my mala in hand.  It will be ready tomorrow!  I bought it in Tibet on my London to Sydney overland and wore it every day until a couple years ago because the cord became so thin I was afraid it would break and all the silver beads would go flying.  I am very pleased.

Brunch was chicken penang and I do have to admit I’m tiring of the coconut base-


I also had an avocado shake but won’t be doing that again. It was ok but not as good as coconut.

My neighbours were eating a soup I’m going to have tomorrow.  It had a huge squid in it as well as large prawns.  They even give you a pair of scissors to cut the squid!

I withdrew money at the ATM to pay the dentist and took a kicking on the fees.  I would have been much better off to pay the 3% credit card charge which is what I will do from now on.

I spent the day reading The Armor of Light by Ken Follett until my dentist appointment at 3.  The book is great so far.

The dental work went fine and I saved over $100 because she didn’t have to build up my teeth.  My temporary teeth feel good.  I go back Thursday at 9 am and now have to also go back Monday February 2.  It’s hard to make plans.  Initially via email I was told 5-7 days but now it will be 11 days which as long as everything continues as it’s been, will be worth it.

On my West Africa overland, not only did I meet Don, but I also met Terry who also lives in Thailand. He is coming to see me Thursday.  I’m pumped!

So,

 after the dentist I wandered.  Wat Chetawan was built by a rich Burmese between 1441 and 1558-


After a battle, it was abandoned until 1897.  Buddha in the main shrine wears a bun instead of a high hairdo-

Pictures on the walls depict the lifestyle of the local Lanna people-


Other pictures explain how Buddha prepared for enlightenment-


The exterior side doors are nice-

One of three stupas-

The roof is similar to others with some kind of imaginary animal protecting-


Wat Mahawon is nearby-

The altar-



There’s even a pulpit-

The exterior decoration is unbelievable-

A few steps away is Wat Loi Kroh-

The interiors are always so different.  This wat is red-

Murals on the walls-

and a glittery wheel-

I wandered down tiny little alleys where people live-

and passed big homes with yards. 

They are in to their boxing-

Heading home I came across Karan Corner which used to be a great fishing spot.  The wall is in the southeast corner of the old city-

Close to home was another wat called Sai Moon Mueang which is quite different again-



The Bodhi Tree-


Alms piggy banks-

Offerings one can buy and offer: rice and oil-


The exterior-

Tuesday’s Buddha image is laying down.  I like that-


I finally found a pot store that would sell half a gram, had a beer at a bar and visited with a woman from the U.K. and returned home.

Tomorrow I will pick up my mala, get my tattoo touched up and at 1:30 I start a 2 day meditation retreat.  

P.S.





Fish swimming in an old tv-








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