Throughout Northern Thailand, Laos & Cambodia, I’ve developed a sort of monk obsession. I’m fascinated with them and their lifestyle. But I’m not talking about real deep stuff here. More along the lines of… Why do Bangkok monks have to go barefoot and are too skinny while Chiang Mai monks get to wear shoes (typically flip flops or leather sandals) and appear healthy (i.e. well fed)? Why do Lao monks have to keep their bald head freshly shaved while Thai & Cambodian monks can play it a little looser? However, I admit that my primary interest in them is most likely even more superficial… their bright orange robes really make a picture pop. “Monk alert” is a term we’ve coined when one of us spots their orange robes so we can quickly become camera-ready. Lao monks have turned out to be my favorite, probably due to their daily early morning alms procession (I got up before 6am 3 out of 4 mornings to witness it bc I just couldn’t help myself). I was beyond thrilled when we showed up at the river bank for our Mekong boat day only to find two monks seemingly waiting to board our boat. Dreams of a live monk action series leapt into my head and while that unfortunately didn’t materialize (they instead waved us goodbye), that was the inspiration for this post and a collection of my monk photos, which I’ve largely spared you to-date.
amusemusings 
I love this. Questions: what’s an alms procession – money? Is that what girls were putting in their baskets in the video? Did the monk who talked to you speak clear English or he talked in his native tongue & you just nodded. 😜 Great pictures. What camera are you using? The last picture should be entitled “Young monks.”
LikeLike
Monks ask for donations for poor. Goes from 5-7am every morning as they wLk the streets in LP. Preferred donation is sticky rice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Monk struck up a convo w us as we were walking past a wat. In English. I think he wanted to practice so we chatted for a bit & then I just had to ask him if I could take his picture. He happily obliged.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Using my iPhone camera. Brought my Nikon point & shoot but haven’t yet used it. iPhone is so easy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And how did you get such a closeup of the meditating monk w/o disturbing him? Zoom?
LikeLike
Meditating monk was hanging out in a wat just zoned out. He didn’t seem to care if you took pics of him. So I got pretty close. And also prob zoomed a little.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How are you liking Cambodia? Those ruins I think are the old capital city, correct? Your pictures are stunning, especially that last one. It’s like that boy is speaking to you with his eyes. Do the monks live together or are they on their own? Maybe seems like a silly question but I’m curious what the process is to become a monk and then are they in that role for their entire life? Hugs and kisses to you and Amy!
LikeLike
We are definitely enjoying Cambodia. The ruins are from the ancient city & temples of Angkor located just outside Siem Reap. I love that shit so I’ll post more on that later. Those young boy monks were just sitting hanging out in Angkor Wat when we walked around the corner on one of the top levels. No one else was around and when I saw them, I just grinned goofily at them. The one looking into the camera smiled back and I kinda waved my phone at him and gestured as if asking if I could take a pic. He smiled and nodded and then went straight face and stared directly into the camera so he was a very willing subject. It seems to me that the young monks live together as I’ve passed a couple places that seem like monk barracks located next to Wats. I’m not sure if the older monks live with them there… I suspect they may have their own separate quarters. But they do seem to start young as I’ve seen boys, perhaps as young as 8-10, participating.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Love these monk pics! Your post got my wondering about female monks and I found this article about rebel female monks (which sounds like a fantastic band name). Try and get some pics of the bhikkhunis! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3232861/Rebel-female-Buddhist-monks-rise-challenge-traditional-male-authorities-Thailand.html
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh how cool! Once we’re back in Thailand, I will definitely keep my eyes out for rebel female monks (and yes, a fantastic band name!!!).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dude. Monks crossing a street? You’re ridiculous.
LikeLike
Thank you very much
LikeLike
I like the monks hailing a tuk tuk.
LikeLike
She’s got her orange radar working.
LikeLike
It’s my sixth sense
LikeLiked by 2 people
Love this post! I also had a monk obsession in Thailand…but I’m so peanut butter and jealous 😉 right now, cuz I swear I remember being told you’re not supposed to look them in the eye? Different sets of rules for showing respect when it came to Monks? Likely different in the different countries, as you pointed out, though! LOVE the pics! That orange sure does pop!
LikeLike
Oh funny. I never read or was told about an eye contact issue, only that women weren’t allowed to touch monks. As if I was going to feel them up or something.
LikeLiked by 1 person