After little sleep, we got up to head out to church. A few went to the Christian service and everyone wanted to head to the Buddhist temple. First stop: Lunch. We headed to a beachside restaurant which was affected by the tsunami. There were trees with ladders now attached with signs saying “Tsunami, Climb Up” and pictures and memorials of those who were affected. It was crazy to think about the Tsunami, because there really isn’t anywhere to go quick enough… all of us had a thought and a prayer for those who were taken away. We then drove about forty five minutes away to a very excluded area; one of the poorer areas. When we arrived, we had about fifteen to twenty minutes to walk around look at the paintings, and pray to the Buddha. You aren’t supposed to ever have your feet facing a Buddha statue because feet are the lowest, and most dirty part of your body – then you bow three times, and have a moment to pray.
We were very lucky – Tom was able to set up time for a Monk to come in to the temple to bless us. It was a very different experience!! He was able to put the blessing bracelets on the men, but not us women… they have to hand it to us since they are not allowed to touch us. We are supposed to leave the bracelets until they fall off…. Which I will be doing! It was very small and so different from what I expected, but it was amazing all the work that went into this temple.
On our way home, we stopped by the Tsunami Memorial. It was a little building that had pictures of before and after of the land, demographics and people. It also had outlined plans of what was to happen for the aftermath, cleanup, long-term plans, and help. There were two little stands that sold things, some of which was from the Tsunami Foundation – I purchased a lot really cute souvenirs from this place because it was all going to a great cause.
We were very lucky – Tom was able to set up time for a Monk to come in to the temple to bless us. It was a very different experience!! He was able to put the blessing bracelets on the men, but not us women… they have to hand it to us since they are not allowed to touch us. We are supposed to leave the bracelets until they fall off…. Which I will be doing! It was very small and so different from what I expected, but it was amazing all the work that went into this temple.
On our way home, we stopped by the Tsunami Memorial. It was a little building that had pictures of before and after of the land, demographics and people. It also had outlined plans of what was to happen for the aftermath, cleanup, long-term plans, and help. There were two little stands that sold things, some of which was from the Tsunami Foundation – I purchased a lot really cute souvenirs from this place because it was all going to a great cause.
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