Stickywrites

This thai word (tee-ow) translates as many meanings in English: to go on vacation, to go shopping, to go on a day trip/excursion of some sort, or to just simply go out, like to the grocery store or go shopping or see a friend. All in one word! It is used quite often, and its a great all-encompassing word. Bethany & Anne loved this word while they were here and thought Americans should adopt it. Well….I dont know about that but…

Anyway, Stacy and I got to go on a thiaw on my day off before she left to go back to America. We went to Ayuttaya, the ancient city and old capital before Bangkok. The funny thing about it being “ancient” is that actually it’s not that old…the ruins were really built in the 15th/16th centuries….so yes old but not exactly ancient. The ruins of old temples and palace grounds are so unkempt (purposefully-so) and decrepit that they seem older. We rented bikes for the adventure in Ayuttya, about a 2 hr train ride from Bangkok (no air – aaahhh!)

Here are some pics…

Where’s the Stacy-Waldo? At the train station waiting.

Our lazy riverside restaurant view

View of an old palace and ruins

The ever-present Buddha (with more recent clothing). Most of the Buddha statues in Ayuttya have been worn down by erosion, rain and ransacking. Most are missing heads!

Sweaty us after bike riding for 2 hours and climbing 100s of skinny steep steps

The coolest Buddha we saw. Made in and out of the roots of this ginormous tree. Those are people’s offerings laid in front.

Biggest candle EVER! Look at those intricate carvings. Candles or Incense Sticks are often used in worship and offerings in Buddhism, but this beats all. I couldn’t fit it in my camera viewfinder.

Avoid with a capital A. (falling rocks??)

Lions and elephants….