Sawadeeka

Greetings from Thailand. I am here for the second time already this year. This time it is for a language Coach Workshop. You know, I have been to Thailand 10 times over the past 12 years and I can only speak a handful of Thai words. Pitiful, isn't it!!

Every time I come to Thailand I am reminded what it is like to be in a place where I don't speak the language. It can be so frustrating when I cannot ask even the basic of questions in the Thai language such as, "Where is the bathroom?" I am very thankful that this is not the case anymore in China. What a blessing it is to speak Mandarin and be able (most of the time) to communicate.

I am also embarrassed to admit that I don't know very much about Thai culture. This country fascinates me (and even makes me a little sad). The majority of Thai people are devout Buddhists. There are Wats (Buddhist temples) everywhere you turn.

Here are some wats that I saw on a 5 minute walk in one direction from the guesthouse I stayed at in Chiang Mai...