BACKGROUND The area was the capital of Thailand for 120 yrs. and there is much respect for the twin cities of Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai which are now well-maintained ruins as a historical site. The area is about 427 kilometers from Bangkok and 250 from Chaing Mai. If you really want to “do” the area you will need more time that two full days. There are two major areas of Si Satchanalai, I only visited one, and there are ancient kilns and several forests that could be hiked. I will break my blog into several parts, so I am not exhausted writing and if you are following, you are not exhausted reading.
MY PATH “Anything that inspires us to see what is true and do what is good is proper practice.” Ajahn Chah There was a good opportunity on the 50+ kilometer ride out to Si Satchanalai to have some time to reflect on Christmas. Growing up Catholic and in a home lead by a father that saw most social time as a time to do things in an orderly manner. Spontaneous and fun were not on the top of the list but get the breakfast over, make the dressing, stuff the turkey, etc..and then around noon to one, open the presents, clean up the room, put the gifts back under the tree in an orderly manner. In the early years, there were too much and in the later years according to father, there was too little, and it was sad. At around three or four a relative would come, and we would eat at 5:30. Clean up, and Christmas was over. Today I would like to think that this is the season to focus on the practice of generosity, consideration, kindness, and mutual regard. Many times along the way, I was reminded that being more mindful of what is happening to me and about me is why I am on the Thai journey.
THE TRIP PATH There is no short cut way to get from here to there. You board a bus, 2nd class on the way down and better on the way home. The bus down turned into a local bus as we got closer to the area and stopped at telephone poles to drop off packages or people. The bus driver ate most of the way and when not eating honked at anything that was in in front of us. There was a woman attendant that sat on a trash can the entire way. It was here job to get people on and off. While the bus took 7 hrs we only stopped briefly for squat toilet breaks.
I traveled to the area with the "other" Bonnie that I met at the Kristi house several trips ago. We sat in the first seat so I had a view of the rear view mirror and the drivers station
with his pencil holder and food bag.
The assistant sat on the metal trash can for 250+ Kilometers
There was a soda bottle
and some artifacts honoring Buddha that made the bus trip appear safe
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