Wat Don Jan - feeding 750 kids

A group of us get together regularly to buy, prepare , cook and serve food to 750 children
who live in a Wat (temple) either because they are orphans or their family do not have enough money to feed and keep them. Usually they depend on donated food which is normally rice or noodles so we just try to give them some protein and treats. The amount required is amazing. 60m kg Pork, enormous pots of rice, basil, beans, chilis ect so it took 3 people to stir the pots. It was much easier using the pork instead of the 96 chickens last time that had to be skinned and chopped - slippery things not to mention the time there was fried eggs and they had to cook 650 and keep them hot. There were less children then. I was not here to participate in that effort.
Have a look at my albums on Picasa to see more pictures of the lovely kids. Here are just a few of them showing them waiting through the necessary prayers and song before they can eat. They had just hung out their washing, the picture shows just one section hanging to dry.

Happy Christmas

Merry Christmas. Peace and Love

Sunday Market Images.

Girls dressed in Lanna style and made up. Do they dance for hours because they enjoy it or only to provide more money for the family??? The middle one is enjoying a break.

One of the most elegant ladies in Chiang Mai who serenely plays her drum each Sunday during the market dressed in her best with pearls and turban.









Blind people in Thailand earn their money by giving massage or by playing music. Here this group of young men play and sing to a lot of applause at each Sunday market and probably in other markets too. Their basket usually has quite a lot of money in it.

Jottings

Like - the lovely smells of flowers and trees when cycling around the lanes.



Buying fresh ginger and lady smiles and adds a few red juicy tomatoes





BOY - a great Jazz guitarist, here playing with harmonica Dave Toussaint in Boy's new little bar at the Night Market.







The beautiful textiles like these worn by Patricia Cheesman, the master weaver, at the exhibition of her collection last week in her lovely studio and gardens. Her book on textiles is a must read for those interested in ancient treasures.

DOI INTHANON

Last week a friend here, David, got a taxi to go up Thailand's highest mountain (2,565 metres high) which is in a national park extending over 482 sq. Kms. This is the eastern end of the Himalayan Massif. It is amazing to be able to go up above the clouds in a car, a normal one, not a 4 wheel drive. I was invited to go along and didn't hesitate.
I'm putting in a few views to share. It was lovely to be nice and cool with a little breeze. Of course the Thais were very cool and wearing furry hats etc but the temperature was close to 20 degrees.