After 2 months of living in Mandalay, it was time to head off to a new teaching destination. This time - VIETNAM! But first, a Holiday!
Once I left Myanmar, I settled in Bangkok for a few days with 2 of my friends from Mandalay (Clare and Ryan) and Clare's friend Nina (from South Africa). We spent Saturday just relaxing, shopping, and EATING STREET FOOD!! It was SO great to eat flavorful food again. Then we went out for drinks, and danced until morning. All things I couldn't do in Myanmar!
Sunday we spent the day spoiling ourselves. Getting our hair did, manicures, etc. I even got to meet up with some of my Bangkok family for some ice cream. Then it was dinner (with a magic show!) and a little earlier of a night, because Monday was a big day.
Monday Ryan and I got up SUPER early and headed to Wat Ban Phra, for new tattoos. Why at this place? Because it's a big thing in the Thai culture. You get to the temple (Wat), and give your offering (flowers, cigarettes) to the head monk, then wait your turn. When it's your turn, you sit in front of the monk, and he decides on your tattoo and location. So, when it was my turn, I sat in front, and (since he can't touch women) he positioned my body using a stick. He handled me a little rough, throwing my arms and head around until he had positioned me to how he wanted. Then, it was time to start. I sat in the most uncomfortable position for abot 25 min, my legs fell asleep, and I had NO idea what design he was giving me. But finally, he was done! He cleaned off the ink, and then said a Khmeric prayer over the tattoo. And FINALLY, I got to see what it was! And here it is....
So, in case you are wondering about what my "Sak Yant" means, here ya go:
2. Second row reverses and protects against bad horoscope constellations and bad luck.
3. Third row protects you from the use of black magic and anyone who tries to put a curse on you.
4. Fourth row energizes your good luck, success and fortune in your future ambitions and life style.
5. Fifth row is to gain charisma and attraction to the opposite sex. It is also is a boost to the fourth row.
After the tattoos were done, it was time to head back...because us girls were off to KOH PHANGNAN for the FULL MOON PARTY!
Sawasdee Kha,
Apes
Once I left Myanmar, I settled in Bangkok for a few days with 2 of my friends from Mandalay (Clare and Ryan) and Clare's friend Nina (from South Africa). We spent Saturday just relaxing, shopping, and EATING STREET FOOD!! It was SO great to eat flavorful food again. Then we went out for drinks, and danced until morning. All things I couldn't do in Myanmar!
Sunday we spent the day spoiling ourselves. Getting our hair did, manicures, etc. I even got to meet up with some of my Bangkok family for some ice cream. Then it was dinner (with a magic show!) and a little earlier of a night, because Monday was a big day.
Monday Ryan and I got up SUPER early and headed to Wat Ban Phra, for new tattoos. Why at this place? Because it's a big thing in the Thai culture. You get to the temple (Wat), and give your offering (flowers, cigarettes) to the head monk, then wait your turn. When it's your turn, you sit in front of the monk, and he decides on your tattoo and location. So, when it was my turn, I sat in front, and (since he can't touch women) he positioned my body using a stick. He handled me a little rough, throwing my arms and head around until he had positioned me to how he wanted. Then, it was time to start. I sat in the most uncomfortable position for abot 25 min, my legs fell asleep, and I had NO idea what design he was giving me. But finally, he was done! He cleaned off the ink, and then said a Khmeric prayer over the tattoo. And FINALLY, I got to see what it was! And here it is....
It's 5 rows and each row represents something different:
1. First row prevents unjust punishment and leans in your favor when the area is grey, cleans out unwanted spirits and protects the place you live in.2. Second row reverses and protects against bad horoscope constellations and bad luck.
3. Third row protects you from the use of black magic and anyone who tries to put a curse on you.
4. Fourth row energizes your good luck, success and fortune in your future ambitions and life style.
5. Fifth row is to gain charisma and attraction to the opposite sex. It is also is a boost to the fourth row.
After the tattoos were done, it was time to head back...because us girls were off to KOH PHANGNAN for the FULL MOON PARTY!
Sawasdee Kha,
Apes
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