You May Now Call Me "Sanghaveda Bhagavata #1004"

We are never coming back, now that we have the white, billowy robes, do our chanting in the morning and evening, and take every action in a group context...

That's right, we've joined a cult. From now on you must refer to us as Sanghaveda bhagavata #1003 and #1004.

No, just joking. actually, we were just doing a specially designed introduction to Theravada buddhism developed by Wat Suan Dok just outside Chang Mai. We returned this morning after three days of fairly intensive (at least for our weak minds) mediation training, buddhism study and silence. It was an absolutely amazing experience, one that we are still processing. Our idea going in was to learn more about theravada buddhism - which is the foundation belief system in most of the countries we will be visiting over the next few months. Here in thailand, it goes beyond that, with something like 90 percent of the population calling themselves Buddhists, and clergy engaged in every level of this countries spiritual and political life. We indeed learned more about the belief system, and also were given a primer in meditation. We sat, we stood, we lied down, we walked. And through it all we tried to control that crazy Monkey Mind and observe our breathing. Check the website for the program. www.monkchat.net We only got a few photos (that little guy is one of our teachers, Phra Gabe, who is from Laos. He is a bad ass), but the program will post the photos of our retreat soon. Click under the photo gallery and the 30 january to 1 february program.

We spent the few days before that exploring the area. On Monday we rented a moped and cruised up to yet another outstanding Wat complex about 15 km out of town, called Doi Suthep. This one also included a meditation training center offering 21 Day courses. That would be hard. We didn't do that. We did however, take a photo of ourselves chillin on our pimp ride.

We also met up with Nick and Tara, from the beautiful town of Port Angeles, Washington. Kelly Watkins noted that we would be in-country at the same time and it was AWESOME to spend an evening with them. Not only did they provide us with some good travel tips but Nick also wowed us with his functional Thai bargaining skills AND we got to swap stories and gossip about the good folks in P.A. For those good folks reading this, don't worry, we won't tell anyone. One of the things that we did with Nick and Tara was go out for some food in this sort of outdoor mall area. As we were sitting there enjoying our food this show came on. Everyone swore up and down that the dancers were actually MAN-BOYS. I took a photo. You be the judge. I don't buy it.

We are doing well, and continue to miss everyone. Please send us an email!

-Ian