"What Wat?"

Alright, let's play a little game, after all you are probably guilty of sending those emails that make you do funny things. So, outloud say "what wat" four times. Hmm, what does that remind you of? Well, if you remember Charlie Brown, you will probably agree that it sounds like the sounds that he heard when adults (teachers, parents, etc) were talking to him. Remember that?
That is a good introduction to what it is like touring through the Wats (temples) here. Today I visited two wats: Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho. All of the signage is in Thai, which to me just read "what wat what wat what wat" - kind of a Charlie Brown syndrome. However, the temples are outstandingly beautiful. In Germany, especially in Wuerzburg where I lived, baroque architecture was omnipresent. But it is nothing like the baroque nature of these temples.

In the heat of the day, and under a beautiful, albeit burning sun the temples reflect the sunshine to the point where you must where shades. The funny characters around Wat Phra Kaew are very bird-like, kind of reminded me of the Cirque de Soliel show of a few years ago. The temples reaching phallically (is that a word?) up into the sky, and around the base of them would be more decorations. Sometimes it was these funny posing guys, they seem to be trying to do one of Connor's yoga poses! (Connor is a yoga instructor at Mayfair) Whether they have the correct pose remains to be judged, but the expressions on their faces were hilarious. Of course, Pentax in hand, I have lots of evidence of these funny creatures.

The property of this wat also holds the Royal Palace. Before visiting it, I saw out of the corner of my eye, a refreshment truck. Actually, you couldn't help but notice it after the hoards of bleached, dehydrated tourists headed over there. Ummm, they have milk! I ordered a chocolate milk, which had to be the tastiest, coldest milk that I have ever consumed. So much so, that I decided to express this outloud. Oops, being alone has left me with no other recourse but to start talking to myself, and I didn't even care. That milk was so good, nothing could stop me.

Feeling a little bit more Brenda-like (as Jon says "fast forward and stop" are my only speeds), I decided that I should head to the second wat. This wat, Wat Pho, houses the infamous reclining Buddha. The Buddha is huge, posed like a sun goddess on a beach (I am sure that that was not their intention, but for this agnostic girl it sure looked like it). It is covered in gold leaf, with mother of pearl eyes and feet. Took some pics that didn't turn out, and then put my shoes back on and headed out. At this wat, a long time ago, one of the rulers decided that Yoga should remain as an active part of this temple/life, and as a result there were beautiful old and slightly crumbling guys in yoga positions (this time it really was Connor's positions).

Walked back to my new hotel, grabbed a welcomed cool shower - no choice really, there is only cold water, and relaxed for a while. Couldn't nap, too excited - Yep, the real Brenda is coming back. Stopped by the local "gym", where they train in Thai Kick Boxing, watched for a while, there was a female trainer there, I found that interesting. It really is quite violent in my opinion. Right now, many of the Thais are gathered around TVs watching kick boxing - it must be a big match - or then again, maybe just a regular Saturday afternoon event!

Now I am off to find a bank machine, grab a pedicure and then have dinner.
Tomorrow its off to a market where cocks fight! (and I am sure there are other things to see).

Laa kawn,
Brenda