22 Dec 2013 Sunday

I walked around most of the wall/moat today, stopping at Wat Lok Molee, one of my favorite temples. I did not get any pictures this time, but I will in future visits. I also went to Wat Meng Rai, the namesake temple of King Mengrai who founded Chiang Rai farther to the north. (Note: the word “Chiang” historically and precisely means “walled city.”) After the Burmese people battled with his people, King Mengrai, with two neighboring kings and friends, King Ngam Muang of Phayao and King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai, founded a new walled city farther from Burma, and they build a moat around the wall, as Burma was a constant threat. In Thai, the word “mai” means “new”, so Chiang Mai is the new walled city. I’ll take some pictures of the moat, the moat is still in place all around the wall, even though in some places, the old wall is gone. The moat is smaller than it was once, as part was filled in to build the outer perimeter road in the 20th century.

I was dismayed to find that Wat Meng Rai is in fairly deteriorated condition, and after 800 years, needs a serious restoration. This picture is of a small monument to King Mengrai on the temple grounds.

While the temple is in general disrepair and showing its age, is still interesting, especially the carved doors with thewada images (thewada are angelic beings who live in the heavenly realms) almost dancing and balancing on top of an elephant.

Here are two more pictures of thewada from the main viharn (worship hall).

I returned to Wild Rose Yoga again today, two days in a row. This class was taught by the same teacher as the class on Saturday, so I knew what to expect. Two days, two yoga classes, no pain in the arm or elbow. This is excellent!

Next: Yoga three days in a row?