I got up the past 2 mornings with the monks. As I ran down the blank streets of Nonthaburi I looked at the various people dotting the sidewalks. There were the vendors that were setting up their carts, the samlot’s riding past occasionally throwing up an arm and yelling “HELLO!” and the clean up crew with their stiff hay-like brooms sweeping the garbage and dried dog territory markings from the sidewalks. There were the street restaurants arranging their houses to sell the days food, the garbage men sitting on top of the garbage like elves propped on Santa’s enormously stuffed bag, and finally there were the monks.
They get up around 6am and walk the streets with their beggars bag. They can only eat until noon and must be off the street by like 7am. They usually have a little boy that follows behind them that hold their bag and they go from place to place to collect bag. They are dressed in their orange robe, barefoot, baldhead, and stoic manners. People will stop their cars and get out to kneel down before them for a blessing. People will stop walking and kneel down as well and as I run past I see the far away look in the monk’s eyes. He’s not allowed to look at me, Im a farong woman. I can’t touch him or get within a certain perimeter of him or I compromise his holiness. So I just run past and wonder at the scene. In the midst of the early gray morning, men in bright orange come among everyday people and beg for food. These men who are too holy to be involved in everyday life then stop and bless those who come near and bow to their feet with their hands pressed together over their heads. The sadness overwhelms me.
I pray that I will never be so holy, so set apart, that I remove myself from everyday people. Although it brings sadness to be in the midst of pain and hard times, I wouldn’t trade the connection or the chance to show love. Oh God, I pray that you will be our hope and the One we bow before! Thank You for being available to us every moment of each day and wanting us to be with You whether we are white, man, woman, Thai, or whatever culture.
This is the last week of my term so I’ll be on VACATION for the next couple of weeks. I know, I know, go ahead and wipe the tears out of the corners of your eyes. =0) If you don’t hear from me, don’t fret! =0) Enjoy your time!