Ko Kret Island, Thailand

Ko Kret Island

Last week I was in Bangkok for my yearly wellness exam at Bumrungard Hospital. I booked an extra day in the event that I needed a follow-up exam. All was well, and I didn't need any follow-ups. So I decided to book a half-day tour through my hotel, Aryiasomvilla (amazing place!). So off I went with a private guide and driver to visit a tiny island 20km north of Bangkok. Needed to get out of the city!

Ko Kret Island is a square-shaped island that you can walk around in 1-2 hours. It was created when a canal was made and is now inhabited by Mon people who retreated from Burma. They fish, make pottery, sell trinkets and generally are self-sufficient.

Wat Poramaiyikawat

There are several Buddhist temples and monasteries on the island.

Unopened lotus flowers

These offerings of lotus flowers and incense are suggested for a tiny fee before entering the temple.

Prayer tree

Outside the temple is a prayer tree. You write a special prayer/message on a ribbon and hang it in the tree. There is one for Dagan, Shara and Gage!

Feeding the fish

Also before entering the temple is fish food for sale. According to my guide, it is important to give back to the universe by buying some fish food and feeding these cat fish in the river.

Mon girl selling homemade sweets

As you walk along the path around the island there are several touristy sheds selling everything from plastic toys to beautiful pottery. I went on a week day and very few merchants were open. Rather nice actually. This girl was dressed in very Western clothes, but wore her hair in the traditional Mon style.

Pottery shed

One of the island traditions is the making of unglazed terracotta pots. The carved designs are quite intricate.

Carved pots and clay pit.

Boat "captain"

It was steaming hot the day I visited Ko Kret Island so my guide suggested not to walk all the way around, but to take a boat instead. Great idea! You can also get a ride on a motorcycle.

Long-tailed water taxis

New Buddha being constructed along the Irawadi River

Candy store!

We made three stops around the island. This was my favorite. All kinds of unusual Thai sweets made right there. Tasted many, was weary of some, and brought home a couple of containers that are rather strange, but good.

Island life

Ko Kret Island was a great little get-away from the bustling city of Bangkok. Nothing spectacular, but just what I was looking for.

The Golden Temple: Armritsar

The Golden Temple (Harandir Sahib) in Armritsar

I had been holding off going to Armritsar to see the Golden Temple until guests came. When my son, Dagan, arrived for spring break, I thought it would be a great time to visit. What was I waiting for? This is the type of place you could visit several times simply to receive a fresh breath of tranquility.

It is said that over 100,000 people visit the Godlen Temple daily. Yet, even amongst the throngs of people, the serenity, especially in the mornings and evenings, was refreshing. We stayed in a mid-range hotel, Le Golden Hotel, right across one of the four entrances. So, stopping by at different times made it easy.

 

There are four entrances to the temple that symbolize openness to all men and women, regardless of religion, color, creed or sex. We felt most welcome in the temple and even had complete strangers explain some of the happenings.

 

Encouraging respectful cross-legged sitting by the lake.

 

 This Sikh man asked those sitting by the lake to sit in a cross-legged position out of respect. Upon entering the temple you must take off your shoes and leave them at a check-stand, wash your feet, wear a head scarf. There is no alcohol, smoking, eating of meat or taking of drugs allowed. When Dagan offered some money for holding our shoes, the Sikh men shook their heads and instead gave Dagan some pieces of candy. Wow!

In meditation

The stark whiteness of most of the buildings and marble floors, against the sparkling waters of the holy lake made the time spent there surreal.

Bathing in the holy lake

The holy tank, or Sarovar, is considered to be "immortal nectar". I did not see a single woman in the lake. Hmmm?

Mother bathing baby son.

Holy man

Sikhs pilgrimage to this temple often. There are many rooms to stay in for small donations (70 rupees) and there is always free food in the temple kitchens that stay open up to 12 hours/daily. Construction projects were being conducted by chains of men and women visiting the temple or on extended stays.

Quite the turban!

Our heads did a double-take when we saw this turbaned man with sword walk by. A young English-speaking Sikh stopped to explain. In the times of battles, weapons would be wrapped in these giant turbans. But still today there are men who carry on the tradition of wearing the giant turbans.

Dagan with kids

Everyone wanted a picture with us. This mother was especially proud that dad snapped one of us together. Foreigners are treated like celebrities.

Wrapping the staff

The morning of our departure we went over to the temple one last time. This man was wrapping a series of staffs with golden cloth as part of the morning ritual. Such magnificent colors! Another must-see in India!

The Dalai Lama in Delhi- March 9, 2013

Since living in Delhi for the past two years, I have missed opportunities to be in the presence of the Dalai Lama each time he passed through. Last weekend I was committed to find a way to see him. And I did!

On March 9, HH was giving a teaching at the Buddha Jayanti Park. A small group of friends and I left two hours early to be sure to be granted entrance to the park. Not only did we get in, we were escorted in front of hundreds of Tibetans into the front rows. I was overjoyed, but rather embarrassed to be given preferential seating. When I asked Bess, a friend who is in the "diplomatic" circle, she explained that the Tibetan community wants foreigners to carry the Dalai Lama's message through out the world. I was quite humbled.

This beautiful sculpture of Buddha, given to the citizens of Delhi by HH,  was the background for where the Dalai Lama sat. He was scheduled to talk from 2-4 pm. Exactly at 2 pm he strolled along the landscaped paths in full bloom with someone holding an umbrella above his head. Of course there were several guards all around him, but he arrived like a butterfly lighting on a flower.

As he sat down, he bowed and then immediately laughed with his deep belly laugh. This is what I will remember most.

The Dalai Lama gave teachings from "The Three Principles of the Path". This day he spoke in Tibetan, although his English is wonderful. I found the translations very challenging, and quite honestly, did not understand much of what was said. Instead I focused on HH's bright eyes, gentle rocking from side to side and his occasional laugh. That was enough to satisfy me.

A lovely Tibetan woman sat next to me and gently focused me through the readings, and in her excellent English, she tried to help me understand some of the teachings. Her willingness to share her devotion was quite special indeed.

To be in the presence of this great peacemaker, the living Compassion Buddha, was a day that I will never forget.

**Photo of the Dalai Lama is from www.agoracosmopolitan.com. We were told not to bring cameras.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Aurangabad

The Ajanta and Ellora caves of India are truly one of the great wonders of the world. I would make this trip any day over going to the Taj Mahal. The Ajanta caves were excavated from a mountainside nearly 2,000 years old. Each of the approximately 30 caves is filled with frescoes telling the story of Buddha's life. The carvings and sculptures are breathtaking, and inspired by their faith of Buddhism..
 

My favorite Buddha chapel

The caves were carved out of a mountain side with nothing more than a hammer and a chisel.

Visiting monks at one of the stupas.

A stupa was typically a domed enclosure that housed a tooth or other relic of the Buddha.

Young monk

25 foot long sleeping Buddha

Fresco of a sacred white elephant

 The frescoes of Ajanta are some of the most intact and unharmed I have ever seen, especially when you consider how old they are. It is amazing to me that tourists can walk right up to them (not touch, of course) and take pictures (no flashes). The Ajanta caves were concealed by rockfalls until the early 1800's. A British hunting group followed a tiger into one of the caves. VOILA!

Each hand gesture has a special meaning.

Need a ride?

For those with weak knees/bad backs a ride in a chair carried by 4 porters can be had for 800rs ($14.00!). Kris really wanted a ride but Rick gave her such a hard time that she waited till the end of the hike for the picture.

Ellora caves

The Ellora caves are "younger" than the Ajanta caves, about 700AD. They were created over many years and are comprised of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples.

Just another elephant

Elephants, elephants, everywhere

Elephant with trunk around a lion

I was in elephant heaven! I gave up counting how many there were. In these Hindu caves, people came and worshiped and lived up until about 40 years ago.

Carving of Jain priest

Jain priests preach in the nude (even today!).

Giant lotus flower carved into the ceiling

Taken through a hole from one cave into another

Kris, Marianna and Cristi at a silk house

Of course our journey would not be complete without discovering the local artisans. We all came home with a new treasure.

Doha, Qatar

Islamic Art Museum

Each year AES generously supports teachers attending professional development, including to other countries. When the NESA Winter Institute announced it would be in Doha, Qatar this year, I jumped at the chance to attend. I had never spent time in a middle-eastern country and my curiosity was piqued. Of course, I also wanted to attend a particular workshop called, "Engaging Deep Thinkers in Your Classroom" by John Almorade.

Women in abaya robes and bourgas (picture by Mohana Rajakumar)

Qatar is a very small kidney-shaped country on the Arabian Peninsula opposite Iran. Security in and out of the country was heightened. Qatar is also considered the wealthiest country in the world, as a result of its oil and gas reserves.

My first impression was of amazement of the  absolute cleanliness, outstanding modern architecture, and "whiteness". That is, except for the women dressed in their black abayas. The contrast from living in India was breath-taking, literally, as the air was clean and the sky blue!

Qatar is also considered a more contemporary Muslim country. Women are allowed to drive (unlike in Saudi Arabia), vote and run for elections. Women are well educated. However, it is still a highly patriarchal society.

Fellow male teachers buying a white thobe and gutra (robe and headdress).

Restaurant greeter at the Souq

The woman on the right, Violet, was from Greece and was searching for a glass of wine with dinner. When she asked this young man if the restaurant served wine he burst out laughing. There is no alcohol in Qatar except at hotels. Packing alcohol into the country or possession of drugs will land you in jail!

Damascus Restaurant

As in India, the locals wanted pictures with westerners. Notice behind me, the hookah pipes. Just about every restaurant had smoking of flavored tobaccos, shisha, using hookah pipes.

American School of Doha

The conference was held at the American School of Doha. Stunning school! Very open-air with a warm, happy feel. Kid art everywhere. The teachers that I talked with were very positive about working here. I could see why.

Some of the art in a hallway.

Overall I enjoyed my quick visit to Doha. Not sure I could live in a culture where women must cover themselves (not westerners). I consider myself quite accepting of all religions and practices, but the eye-slit bourgas are a bit too extreme for me. Eye contact is way too important to me.