Heart-walk in Sukhothai

I arrived in Sukhothai around 2PM today, feeling pretty wiped from the long journey and the heat. I checked into my hostel (Vitoon Guest House), and layed on my king-size bed and tried to decide what to do with myself during the last few hours of daylight. My muddled brain was not able to come up with much, but I eventually decided to leave the white-washed concrete box that held my king-size bed and go for a walk where-ever my heart guided me.

I started out in search of a stamp for a postcard I've been trying to mail for about 4 days now with no success. 7-11 has only local stamps (7-11s are everywhere in Thailand. Even more ubiquitous than McDonnald's), so after asking at 3 places, I abandoned this mission. I noticed I was walking out of town, but decided I didn't care and took a right down a road with a sign that said National Park, 30km. Now I was not up for a 60km walk, but felt guided to follow this road anyway.

I found several low-middle class Thai homes with families playing in the front yard. Most returned my cautious smile and quiet Thai greeting. I also saw a resort and wandered in to check prices for fun. 1000-5000 Bhat! phew...that's about US$30-130. Quite the well-to-do property, though. Gorgeous landscaping, huge koi pond in front, beautiful floating flower arrangements, stunning furniture. The works. Well, I just smiled and wandered back out the way I came and continued down my little road.

A little further, I came to the Orchid and Hibiscus Resort and turned down their side road. Similarly landscaped and decorated, and this one had a pool! I did not bother checking thier prices. Just walked on and befriended a couple street dalmations. Have you ever seen a dalmation with brown spots? I thought she was beautiful.

Walking on, my heart took me down a side path away from the road and drew me to a beautiful little creek, where I rested for about 10 minutes and observed the ecology. Fish and birds preyed on insects. Water plants covered about 80% of the still water's surface area. There was even a patch of about 100 4-leaf clovers! I thought that was a good omen. What a blessing to be able to follow my heart in such a place. :)

My energy has been waning, but the 3.5 mile walk and the decision to fast for the evening helped a lot. I wonder if this is just my natural energy cycle, same as at home? Or if it is because I ate quite a few wheat and cheese crackers yesterday? My digestive system is much happier on the rice-based diet here, though I do not yet know how to say "vegetarian" in Thai...I still fight my tendency towards gluttony. I feel sooooo hungry! Even right after I have eaten and my body is stuffed...what am I hungry for? argh.

The night market cheered me considerably, though. They have pastries the french would be proud of in Sukhothai. I did not taste any, but the cakes and tiny sweets were ornately decorated and looked delicious! Various other stalls sold fried fish, waffles, raw meat, and fried insects! I did not try these either, but my curiousity was peaked. Fruits and vegetable stands vyied for customers and shoes and teeshirts and cheap jewelery filled out the back. I bought some fruit I don't know the name of and haven't tasted yet (I hope it's fruit), and some bananas from a woman with a big smile. 25 Bhat, she said. 20, maybe? I replied. 25, 25...I motion to take a few fruits out of the bag and she laughs...20, ok...Welcome to Thailand, in soft-spoken english. My spirits lifted through the laughter we shared, I am greatful to be here and to remember why I came...