40 Days & 40 Nights

This is how long I will have been in Thailand when I wake up in the morning tomorrow. I’m on my way in a yellow truck to Wat Pa Tam Wua, a Buddhist monastery, for a silent meditation retreat for several days; the several, not yet determined. “We’ll see,” says Richard. ‘Whoever that might be.’

I know Pai has much to be discovered, much like anyplace, but I’ve yet to make it my own. Perhaps this afternoon, at the “mystic man” gathering at Mystic Village.

As likely,  an herbal compression massage at Gaifa at the hands of Gaifa herself, the owner. Yesterday she recognized my interest and showed me the bark and herbs in the tea served following my massage. We got talking, best we could, and she wanted me to see her small garden out front. We looked at each one, naming them, and she gave her advice regarding their healing properties. Clearly it’s a bit of a treat -- two massages in a row -- but however can I pass up her offer? 

Then dinner shopping on The Walking Street, where every night the food stalls come alive with Pad Thais, sushi, and sweets.

And, tomorrow, onto Wat Pa Tam Wua. Here’s something I pulled from their website:

“Wat Pa Tam Wua Forest Monastery offers spiritual guidance to those who wish to practice meditation in a peaceful and natural monastic setting, nestled in the mountains of Mae Hong Son. 

Wat Pa Tam Wua is a most tranquil monastic heaven, paradise on earth for meditation, refuge and self – discovery.”

How could I not - ☺️. 

Wat Pa Tam Wua Forest Monastery

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