After our first few days in the Land of Smiles, things have really started to heat up! We kicked off our second day in the north by visiting one of the most famous temples in Thailand, Doy Suthep, where the students got their first look at Thai Buddhism. The temple itself wraps around a brilliant golden pagoda and sits atop a mountain overlooking the entire city of Chiang Mai. Here the students received bracelets symbolizing good luck, which we can all sport for the duration of the trip and onward.

In the evening we got acquainted with Thai cuisine firsthand at the Siam Rice Thai Cookery School.  Students chose several dishes to prepare including soups, curries, noodles, and desserts. They got a crash course on the the basic ingredients that make Thai food so uniquely flavorful and they learned how to safely chop, dice, and mix them all up into one tasty dish. Oh yeah, they also learned how to wok the wok!  After a more than satisfying three course meal, the students whipped up a delectable dessert of their own choosing like mango with sweet sticky rice or bananas with sweet coconut milk. We ended the night by watching a couple of Muay Thai fights at a local Thai boxing arena before heading back to the guesthouse to get some sleep. We wanted to be well rested before beginning the next day with a meditation class and monk chat at Wat Suan Dok, a historic temple in the city of Chiang Mai.

Upon arrival at Wat Suan Dok we were greeted by Phra Aun, a friendly Buddhist monk who gave us all a crash course in Theravada Buddhism and its relevance in Thailand. He then opened the floor up for the students to ask questions, and ask they did. We learned about traditions, beliefs, etiquette, and more.  Curiosity satisfied, we moved onto a meditation lesson. We practiced both the seated and standing forms of meditation and walked away feeling a focused serenity that only the Land of Smiles can inspire. Students then explored this ancient temple and appreciated its ornate art and beauty.

That evening the students patrolled Chiang Mai’s famous Sunday Walking Street in groups, partaking in a fun scavenger hunt before embarking on their search for dinner and souvenirs. The market is known for its collection of local handicrafts and art pieces, and we enjoyed seeing the variety of both goods and people present.