There’s a poem that talks about people entering your life for a reason, season or lifetime. Some may think this is coincidental, others wonder if it’s work from their angels, guides or even their intuitive self. With that said, believe what makes you feel the best and enjoy the following sequence of events… they couldn’t have been planned anymore perfect than how they turned out.
Quick back story in under 30 seconds (depending on how fast you can read).
Deep breath in… and go!
A month ago, Bree met a German woman named Claudia in Bali while studying Yoga.
Two weeks ago, I met Bree on a flight to Cambodia.
On this day, all three of us connected in Chiang Mai in order to experience Monk Chat (to be described soon).
We got lost, followed a monk and found our way. Ironic?
Met the monks, spoke in their classroom, received a gift and was fed a meal while viewing a ceremony outside of the temple.
Later we stopped at a hidden organic cafe that is owned by a local chef who was having her first cookbook release in a few days. She personally invited us to come back and celebrate with free food, live music and book signing.
Wouldn’t you know it, the English teacher from the monks ceremony was also a fan of this mysterious hang out and was pleasantly surprised to see the three of us plus our other friend Maddie (a new gal along the path to be introduced later) supporting this driven local woman and her vegetarian cafe.
We returned for the book release party, met more people and heard a speech. On that day, with all of that energy in alignment…
I decided on the next step in my beautiful journey.
Thank you universe.
…and breathe.
Ok, time to explain these enlightening adventures and expand a bit out of the nut shell described above.
Back to step one: Claudia, Bree and I headed west towards the temple where we would get to experience a conversation with willing Monks that in need to practice their English. For more info on this popular Thai excursion, please check out the website at www.monkchat.net.
The journey started with our fingers crossed that we were going to find it on time, that was until we found (or he found us) an unexpected guide, thank you orange robe!
We arrived and got seated at a private table with three monks ranging in age from 24 to 35. (I only know their age because one of my questions was in regards to celebrating birthdays (FYI- they acknowledge the day, but don’t necessarily “celebrate” it). After an hour of casual conversation, they invited us into the classroom where they were holding an English speaking competition. Each participate gave a speech and was scored and voted on by the three judges. What an honor to sit right along with them and get to witness the “behind the scenes” of a day in a studying monk.
I’m not sure what this student was executing on his phone, but it makes me wonder what he possibly could of been doing at this moment.
…and the winner? This gentle smile!
After the awards were handed out, the attention unexpectedly turned to us sitting so I innocently observing from the back of the room. They called us to the front of the class and kindly proceeded to ask us questions ranging from personal history to recent travels. Here was our view:
To complete this memorable event, we all posed for a group photo and bowed out gracefully (literally… bowed our way out).
As if we hadn’t already had an evening full of stimulating conversation and heart warming attention, on our way out this crowd invited us over to partake in the complimentary food, drink and desserts that they were sharing. People of Thailand, your hospitality and genuine courtesy continues to shine, thank you!
The sun was down and the three of us enjoyed a walk back to the city, taking in the vibrant street decor that was in preparation for the Loi Krathong and Yi Peng Lantern Festival . What a colorful Illumination of an already brilliant city!
Handstand shot? I would be honored to be a part of this colorful backdrop!
Add this gorgeous view to the list of things that you don’t get to see every night!
After being embraced at the Monk Chat and then surround by the street lights, our walk turned even brighter with a quaint cafe that opened their doors and invited us in. Yao, the owner of The Birds Nest Cafe was days away from celebrating her first cookbook release. Guess what the next post is about…
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Year after year I’d return to the family of gymnasts (who probably laughed at the fact that I just referred to us as “gymnasts”) for more fun and fitness. Last year we caught several action shots seen in A flippin good time. Thank you Mark Harris for the photo session! 
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