OXLAEYDumb, Dumber, Dead Monks
If vacation means letting things go, then Thailand was a total success. I met a couple of traveling punks from Taiwan, who convinced me to let them shave the side of my head. I let go of the turtle.
I also learned to laugh at myself, after worshiping dead monks in Chiang Mai.
So I was strolling through Wat Phra Singh Woramahaviharn. In one of the buildings four monks sit meditating. Either I was a little awestruck walking around the temple complex or just a bit emotional that day. I was the only one there. I walked inside and quickly sat down – as to not disturb the meditating monks. I was really awestruck at their focus, having perfected their meditation skills through years of practice.
I meditated too. I listened to the birds, felt the breeze on my skin. It was a transcendental experience. I was dumbfounded how the monks could keep so still, but I hardly dared to look at them. After 20 minutes I reverently stood up, looked down, gave a deep bow and quietly walked out – truly feeling blessed for having been in their presence.
But something kinda gnawed at me that night…. How could they meditate with such intensity? Did they even blink their eyes? I didn’t really want to question the experience, however, I just wanted to enjoy the moment.
I went back the next day. My holy monks had meditated so long, that they had melted into waxy latex.
At first, I felt complete and utter shame. Although nobody else had seen me worship the wax figures, I was angry at myself. How could I have been so moronic? As the day went on, however, I started to laugh at myself. I allowed myself to not be perfect. I watched the video, I had secretly taken the previous day… and had to smile.
My Thailand vacation was a success. Now I was ready to face the Nordkapp.
I flew back to Berlin and got my bike and was ready to cycle to Norway.
