This last weekend G and I headed down to Chiang Mai to do something "touristy" with all the other interns in Chiang Mai (there are 11 of us total) Saturday afternoon we headed up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a famous Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai. Sadly I forgot my camera, so maybe I'll try to post some pictures from my phone. It was beautiful. The Wat has these big, long stairs that take you up to the temple, then you go inside and everything is gold plated, with these beautiful intricate southeastern Asia designs. We got blessed by a monk for "success in all your life," (which I am very excited about), and then we were given a string bracelet for good luck.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: Stairs leading up to the temple
In the Wat looking up at the main gold plated steeple.
We spent the evening eating great food and going to the night bazar (a series of small shops and stands that sell everything from wooden frogs to vans). We all the famous Thai massage, and let me tell you, it is famous for a reason. I got a foot massage and it was perfect after being on my feet all day.
Some Thai Culture:
Many of you might know that sex trafficking is a big problem here in Thailand. Last Saturday night as our wonderful facilitator Spencer was sending everyone home G, Chloe and I started people watching. We saw again and again old grey haired men with young beautiful Thai girls. I don't know if this is technically "sex trafficking" or prostitution, and it could be that it's just a man with his wife/girlfriend in a completely normal relationship. All if's and buts aside, 9 out of 10 times it's nothing good. Here in Thailand this is a very common sight, and I just want to express how grateful I am to grow up in a place where things like this aren't commonplace. I am so grateful that where I come from women are more than an item to be played with.
I hope that I haven't offended anybody by what I just wrote. I just think that reading about what it is Really like in Thailand is more interesting than hearing about me sorting through illegal DVD's for 15 minutes. I also am a strong believer that people should get the cake, not just the pretty icing on top.
What's your opinion on issues like this?
Great to hear that you are doing well and have some time to do some site seeing. About your question on the sex trade, I don't know for sure, but I would guess that most of it is an economic problem. Were there other opportunities for those women or other opportunities for their families (I assume that some are pressured into the jobs by family) they would do something else. That said there is prostitution everywhere in the world so some people may do it no matter what. Hopefully everyone in Thailand is working hard to give everyone the opportunity to pursue their dreams. We live in an extraordinary time where we can choose what we will do with our lives.
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