Monks and Massage
April 5th - Day 60
We are still here in Koh Kut. Taran and Kelty are loving the diving and I am equally loving the snorkelling. It is like meditation, just drifting around and watching. I always find it amazing that the fish behave as if we aren’t there. They come up so close.
We are still here in Koh Kut. Taran and Kelty are loving the diving and I am equally loving the snorkelling. It is like meditation, just drifting around and watching. I always find it amazing that the fish behave as if we aren’t there. They come up so close.
Today we went out twice with Pete from Sheffield and our
other dive companion was the ‘Fun and Recreation Manager’ of the fanciest hotel
on the island. Soneva Kiri – where a 6 bedroom room costs $25,000 a night! Ridiculous. Apparently you have your own butler and chef
but I still don’t see how that adds up to $25,000. Taran then told us about the most expensive taco
in the world which can be ordered in Mexico and is made from gold infused corn
and beluga caviar. This is also $25,000.
From ridiculous extravagance to the life of the Buddhist monk with no possessions. Kelty and I were walking to buy our morning coffee and came across young monks lining up to receive their morning alms. They were accompanied by a policeman who had a big basket and was collecting all their food donations. The villagers also eagerly lined up to place offerings in the basket. Thai Buddhist devotees believe that offering alms secures them good karma in this life and the next. Sometimes, they also hope to bestow good luck on deceased family members. I couldn't help but notice the quality of food that was being donated - fizzy drinks, sweets, sticky rice balls, cakes, sweet puddings, dumplings, shop bought snakcs and Thai desserts coated with condensed milk and coconut cream. Very little that looked healthy. I then read about how obesity is becoming a problem here. The waistlines of the country's Buddhist monks have expanded so much that health officials have issued a nationwide warning and are suggesting more physical activity as well as urging people to offer healthier donations. Adding to this problem is that monks are forbidden to eat after midday, so to keep their energy up, many rely on highly sweetened beverages, including energy drinks. Plus they sometimes don't notice how much weight they have put on due to their baggy robes. Belts have been suggested to help this.
From ridiculous extravagance to the life of the Buddhist monk with no possessions. Kelty and I were walking to buy our morning coffee and came across young monks lining up to receive their morning alms. They were accompanied by a policeman who had a big basket and was collecting all their food donations. The villagers also eagerly lined up to place offerings in the basket. Thai Buddhist devotees believe that offering alms secures them good karma in this life and the next. Sometimes, they also hope to bestow good luck on deceased family members. I couldn't help but notice the quality of food that was being donated - fizzy drinks, sweets, sticky rice balls, cakes, sweet puddings, dumplings, shop bought snakcs and Thai desserts coated with condensed milk and coconut cream. Very little that looked healthy. I then read about how obesity is becoming a problem here. The waistlines of the country's Buddhist monks have expanded so much that health officials have issued a nationwide warning and are suggesting more physical activity as well as urging people to offer healthier donations. Adding to this problem is that monks are forbidden to eat after midday, so to keep their energy up, many rely on highly sweetened beverages, including energy drinks. Plus they sometimes don't notice how much weight they have put on due to their baggy robes. Belts have been suggested to help this.
If I see the young monks again tomorrow I pledge to give them a bowl of fruit and some salad while showing them some downward dogs.
Apparently in Thailand if you have a social security number you are entitled to a free massage at your local hospital. I wondered if that included the unhealthy monks and if they were allowed it. We were told this was the best place for a massage so Kelty and I booked. It didn't seem to be the most pampering place to choose but we decided to follow up on this left field recommendation. No incense or calming whale music. Dressed in baggy brown hospital pyjamas, Kelty and I went through an extremely painful hour of pummelling, elbowing, bone clicking and body contortion. I assumed more pain more gain so I didn't complain but in a very British stiff upper lip way just silently screeched into my pillow, teeth clenched.
Apparently in Thailand if you have a social security number you are entitled to a free massage at your local hospital. I wondered if that included the unhealthy monks and if they were allowed it. We were told this was the best place for a massage so Kelty and I booked. It didn't seem to be the most pampering place to choose but we decided to follow up on this left field recommendation. No incense or calming whale music. Dressed in baggy brown hospital pyjamas, Kelty and I went through an extremely painful hour of pummelling, elbowing, bone clicking and body contortion. I assumed more pain more gain so I didn't complain but in a very British stiff upper lip way just silently screeched into my pillow, teeth clenched.
How weird the juxtaposition of extreme wealth and voluntary poverty!
ReplyDeleteSad to hear about the sugar and yuck food that they like. It reminds me of the Welsh family that went out and bought white sliced bread to give my mother and I for tea rather than the homemade bread they usually had.
Sugar and process! What is it about them that lures people in? The novelty? The taste?
The massage sounds horrible. I would have gotten up and walked away. I had a massage like that once and could barely move for a week. Never again!!! Did you guys feel better afterwards?
Not sure if I felt better but didn't have any aches or pains so maybe it was good for us?! Kelty liked it as he was keen to book another.
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