So far, getting to see some of the sacred temples of Chiang Mai was a whole different experience compared to the rest of the trip. Learning about the teachings of Buddhism and getting to see the inside of the temples were amazing. Each temple was unique and beautiful in their own way. This definitely made the experience a whole lot better since all the temples had so many things to look at from spectacular handmade drawings to realistic monk statues. As we walked through the temples and admired the scenery, we were able to witness other people meditate.

When we went through each temple, we were mesmerized by how beautiful and creative all the temples were. Each temple gave off a selfless vibe meaning that all of them had similarities to other one. No temple was more than the last one. Since Buddhism is about giving up what you don’t need, but keeping what you actually need. The temples are a prime example of why people who believe in the teachings of Buddah aren’t selfish. Especially, one specific temple had money strips hanging from the wall. People gave up the money they didn’t need, since it’s not fair to them to have more money than others.

~White Plumeria Flowers we found outside one of the temples

The experience was marvelous, but learning about the traditions Thailand holds was extraordinary. Saying hello in Thailand involves the use of your hands in a prayer position. The higher your hands are signifies how honorable and signifying a person is. When greeting a monk, your hands should be high enough to be in front of your face as a sign of respect. As signifying as a monk can be, the king is held as the highest, so one must rise their hands high above their head. We were all amazed with the culture in Thailand. Everyone has been patient and super nice to us, and we believe we will be further amazed as we continue learning about Thailand and the people who live in it.

During our entire trip so far, we had a lot of fun. We continued to experience new things throughout our time being here. Whether it was learning about a religion or seeing inside the temples, sharing this experience with each other and making these memories have definitely been the best part of it all.

-by Mariana, Catherine and Morgan