Bangkok
Bangkok is seriously cool. Way too cool for us. Gritty, edgy, delicious—littered with alleys to explore, mystery foods to try, markets to get hopelessly lost in, and tiny, plastic stools to drink cheap beer and people watch from.
Every street, every corner, every alley, every stall. Amazing food is lurking everywhere. Instant heartburn is 100% always worth it.
Muay Thai fight. The fight was nuts, but watching the men (and one woman) gambling on the concrete steps was the best. Hand signals and money were thrown frantically in the air, as ringside hype-men amped up the fighters.
A Sak Yant holds magic. They are created by Buddhist ceremonial tattooists carried over from ancient Khmer practices.
We bring a blessing for Arjan Neng, light incense, and pray by a small shrine. We each have a short, spiritual consultation with Arjan Neng, which helps him decide which Sak Yant is right for us. We had a translator present to explain every step of the blessing and meaning of our tattoos. (Included at the bottom of the post!)
This is every bit as painful as it looks.
We also had a guide to bring us to a early morning fish market. Lucky for us, the market had just flooded. We trudged through swampy, fishy, ocean water (I hope) shopping from booth to booth, picking the freshest seafood. Then we hoped back on the train and traveled an hour to a chef who would prepare our morning’s catch. I say prepare because it wasn’t all cooked. Risky. Delicious. Covered in chili. So worth it.
Bangkok is really something special. I'm obsessed with it. It's addicting. But it's so so so far from New York. So all I have left are these pictures and some pretty intense food cravings. Oddly, our airbnb window decal summed it up pretty perfectly.
My Sak Yant: “Na Tor ra ho oat ton. This yant could protect you from all bad things and a black magic. It prevent the darkness side of mind and remind you good side of yourself when you have problem. You would have more patient and peace plus strength. The spines are Unalome which is the symbol of wisdom as it appeared on forehead of Lord Buddha when he got enlighten. The first inscription is Na Mo Budh Tha Ya. It is the brief name of five enlighten Buddha. It could draw a luck and protect you. Na Ma Phat Tha. It is earth wind fire and water. It would adjust the element of your body to make you healthier. Budh Tha Sunk mi. It is the mercy to attract good people to your life. And Ei Thi is to success in your career.”
Nick's Sak Yant: “On the top and bottom are spire called Unalome which is the sign that appear on Lord of Buddha when he got enlightenment. It represents the wisdom. Down below is meditate Buddha image represent the peace to your life. Then Na Ma Phat Tha in horizontal which could ad just the element of your body for a good health. And Na Mo Budh Tha ya. It is the brief name of five enlighten Buddha. It could draw a luck and protect you. And Ei Tha Ka Ma which is the attraction pray to make people to adore you more. And Au Aa Ma which is three crystal balls to make your wish come true. And Aa Ra Hung which represents enlighten monks.”
The Rules of Sak Yant: 1. Do not say any bad word to your parents and be grateful for them. 2. Do not use any chemical drug. Mushroom and Marijuana are ok. 3. Do not eat star fruit or Winter gourd. (Not serious for this rule) 4. If you have a chance to come to Thailand. You should come and worship the Waikru day(Master day) which organized once a year at Arjan Neng's place. (The first Sunday of March) 5. Do not go under the hanging rope that hang the laundry. 6.No adultery 7. Pray kata that Arjan Neng gave you 3 times in the morning.
