Solitude is a hard-won ally, faithful and patient
-Henry Rollins

Wat Arun, Bangkok

As the boat approached Wat Arun the ancient temple was illuminated with bright lights and there was music emanating from the shore.

The courtyards of Wat Arun were crowded with people. Nam prik and other Thai food was being sold in small kiosks.

Climbing up the steep stairs of the temple as the sun was descending over the city of Bangkok, the Chao Praya river was soaked in deep orange and crimson tones.

Loud music blared and increased in tempo as night fell and energetic Muay Thai fighters sparred outside the temple. The boxers were fast w/ reflexes like lightning. During some of the fights they used weapons like swords, bows, and whips.

During one of the matches a young girl dressed in sky blue was armed with nothing but a metal shield as 4 attackers with weapons approached her.

Screaming with all her force and gritting her teeth, she countered their strikes with speed and agility in a mass attack, overtaking them and rendering them defenseless.

Back in Chiang Mai, I am continuing to work on Chopin's Etude Opus 10-12 in C minor Revolutionary - a fast and powerful piece that is challenging me with syncopation, subtle melodic variations, and new techniques.

Currently listening to: DRAGON STRING ATTACK - God of Shamisen

Rama VIII Bridge

I woke up Sunday morning and walked through the hot and humid Bangkok streets to Saphan Kwai BTS Skytrain station.

I met up with my friend Nay in a park near Rama VIII bridge.  We took a water ferry down the Chao Praya river near Wat Prakeaw, and then crossed the river to get to Wat Arun temple.  

Bangkok

After finishing the most intensive term yet at AUA Chiang Mai, I decided to head down to Bangkok for a short break.

Saturday night I took a 9-hour bus ride from Chiang Mai into Bangkok.  As the last hours of daylight faded and the bus disappeared into the night I drifted out of consciousness listening to the droning sounds of Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

The bus arrived early in the morning, the city sky still pitch black.  Tuk tuk drivers got all up in my face begging to drive my somewhere, anywhere, as I was still struggling to wake up.  Rats skittered across the streets and disappeared into gutters of the trash-strewn streets leading up to Sukhumvit.  

Eventually I stopped near Saphan Khwai and got some sleep.