Let me introduce myself;
My name is Lee Persson and I’m a full timer Koh Phanganer since October 10.
I’m a Swedish young woman at the age of 28.
I have been living here on and off in 2 separate times before.
First time I visited this island was during a backpacking trip I had in 2010 in South East Asia.
I started my backpacking in 2009.
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We finished the course yesterday and today started some new adventures for us.
Carole also lives on Koh Phangan, in the same area and she is also an Agama student. Wonderful young woman from France. And what are the odds of meeting in Chiang Mai? And to know the same people?
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There is always a reason why you meet some people.
The monk who we meditated together with was very good with English. And he was very down to earth, and one of those who says FUCK.
Harmony and wisedom. But most of all, Love. The words that came out from his mouth was very much stuff I already knew, but things that are very very easy to forget and it felt good to get a little reminder.
Good words from one of Buddhas disciples.
I truly recommend everyone to go there for about 1,5 hour (30 min x 2) to meditate if you ever visit Chiang Mai. It’s at Wat Sri Gerd temple (at the Sunday market street) Every Monday at 3.00 pm (15.00) and it’s for free (or by donation)
Get some good knowledge and listen to some good words from this old man who is also very funny and have a lot of humor.
It helps a lot to just be, to just breath and let the monkey mind be still for a while.
It’s healthy. Try it!
I haven’t been able to write so much for the last couple of days and I haven’t had the inspiration to do it either.
My writing is something that just comes when I have the time and have a clear mind. Since couple of weeks back when I was in Malaysia, my mind have been occupied with emotions and guy problems. Like every normal human being.
I’m getting back on track and being away for a while at different locations, give me a different perspective of it all too. I didn’t say it was easier but to have focus on myself and what I want in different places makes it better for myself. At least I’m glad I have emotions, feelings and problems. Then I know I’m alive.
I’ve also been busier than I expected, even if it feels like I haven’t done anything. I’m currently in Chiang Mai and I’m taking a Chi Nei Tsang massage course for a week.
Many of you might wonder what the hell Chi Nei Tsang massage is! And for those who doesn’t know, it’s in Chinese Taoism Tradition, massage for the organs in the stomach. It’s cleanses, detox and heals you in many different aspects. I won’t write much about it, if you want to know more about it: Google it!
I had my first Chi Nei Tsang massage on Koh Phangan in february from an Israeli friend who left not long after that. At that time I had a lot of emotional stuff coming up and I don’t know if it was from the massage or other stuff, but the day after my treatment I had small dots ALL over my body, even in the face. My body reacted strongly on the detox. Which I liked. I got results at least. It went away the day after, so there is nothing to worry about.
And that’s when I decided to take a course and to be able to do some healing on others too.
And since it’s still really a rare thing to give and receive for us westerners, it’s even more interesting to give and see the reactions and see if the people like it or not. It’s NOT like a normal massage. I truly recomend people to give it a try. And if you don’t know where to find it on the island, I’m one of those who does it and I’m back november 29! And I also do Swedish massage, I have my own table so I’m able to go anywhere. (PROMO FOR MYSELF) Hehe
I really like Chiang Mai and if I didn’t live on Koh Phangan, Chiang Mai would probably be the city I would choose. At this time a year, it’s suppose to be a bit cold but it’s super hot and very sunny. The only thing I need is a pool, but it’s hard to find if you don’t stay in a hotel or guesthouse. They also have tons of coffee shops, which I like. (That’s the typical Swedish side of me) Swedes really like to go for a ”FIKA”. This is even our own word for going out for a coffee and cake/cookie and chat with a friend.
Sweden is actually the second largest consumer of coffee in the whole world. Finland is number one!
There is a lot of traffic here, but pretty ok since it’s such a big city. It’s not like Bangkok. Nothing is like Bangkok. I can still drive around here without getting killed haha.
I stay with my friend Philip that lives here. He is originally from South Africa and I met Philip on Koh Phangan as well through a mutual friend. We are both English teachers and he works in the international School here. Amazing guy, but not into women! Letting me stay with him means a lot for a poor lady like me.
Today is the start of a festival in Chiang Mai. Loi Krathong.Loi means 'to float', while krathong refers to the (usually) lotus-shaped container which floats on the water.
Krathong has no other meaning in Thai besides decorative floats, so Loi Krathong is very hard to translate, requiring a word describing what a Krathong looks like such as Floating Crown, Floating Boat, Floating Decoration.
The traditional krathong are made from a slice of the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant. It’s a offering to the river spirits.
Thais launch their krathong on a river, canal or a pond, making a wish as they do so.
The festival may originate from an ancient ritual paying respect to the water spirits.
Government offices, corporations and other organizations big large decorated krathongs.
There are competitions for the best such krathong. A beauty contest is a regular feature and fireworks have become common in recent years.
People sometime cut their fingernails or hair and placed the clippings on the krathong as a symbol of letting go of negative thoughts. However, many ordinary Thai use the krathong to thank the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha (Thai: พระแม่คงคา).
There is also something called Yi Peng. This is what I’m looking forward to, to see.
A multitude of Lanna-style sky lanterns (khom loi (Thai: โคมลอย), literally: "floating lanterns") are launched into the air where they resemble large flocks of giant fluorescent jellyfish gracefully floating by through the sky. The festival is meant as a time for tham bun (Thai: ทำบุญ), to make merit.
People usually make khom loi from a thin fabric, such as rice paper, to which a candle or fuel cell is attached. When the fuel cell is lit, the resulting hot air which is trapped inside the lantern creates enough lift for the khom loi to float up into the sky.
It’s going to be an amazing thing to experience since it’s just once a year.
Just like Thai New Year (Song Kran). I’ve been in the water fight on Song Kran twice, so this is going to be brand new to me.
I just hope I feel better, cuz the Chi Nei Tsang massage is helping very much. Last couple of days I didn’t have any appetite and I’ve been feeling sick. No spots on my body this time though. The organs have been resting a lot and I’ve been in bed since 18.00 last night.
It’s now morning and I need to go back to school and continue my practise in a little bit. I haven’t been eating anything since lunch yesterday and just the thought about it make me want to throw up. I hope I’m fine later today and tomorrow so I can experience the whole traditional festival. If not, I’m doing a fasting at the same time. I guess I need it. A LOT!
I’m going to update more about my trip to Malaysia soon, I just need to recover a bit.
Much love to you all.
First lessons are free of charge.
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