Buddhist Monks

I had been up since about 4 am as I was unable to sleep. I felt like I had slept well so far but awoke after having had a nightmare about the Killing Fields. I tried to get back to sleep but after 40 minutes or so I gave in and decided it would be a good time to blog.

While typing with only the sound of my thoughts in my head and the odd vehicle rolling past the hotel, I was startled to hear loud chanting which sounded like it was coming out of a loudspeaker. They were right in front of the hotel. I could not see anything but we could hear them well. I figured it must be the Buddhist Monks doing their morning chant. They chanted for 10 minutes and then they moved on down the road.

It has now been 20 minutes and I can still hear the Buddhist Monks chanting off in the distance.

We saw many monks in Phnom Penh. Always dressed in orange and many carried matching umbrellas. They to me, are the like the male counterparts to Japan's Geishas as they would just glide along as they walked. They exude a peaceful serenity. I had read somewhere that they do not like to have their pictures taken and so I did so cautiously. The last thing I want to do is to offend or upset a monk. I think it would be bad karma.

The birds are also awake and I hear them chirping. Breakfast is cooking somewhere as I smell eggs and I think even bacon. The sun has risen and the day has started in earnest whether we like it or not.

By the way, Buddhist Monks, chanting...now fainter and in the distance but 46 minutes and still going strong.

Namaste Cynda