My First Encounter With a Monk

I don't know how or why but somehow I always end up in the most random and hilarious situations. Not to be sacrilegious in the land of Buddha, but something about this story is not right...

At the end of our final day of orientation our small group was sent on a scavenger hunt to a nearby Wat. On the grounds of this Wat are several buildings, some of which are temples and shrines, some of which are where the monks live, and there is also a school.

Our first stop is to go into one of the buildings where we are to make a donation, light incense and candles, and be blessed by a monk. Unfortunately, there is no one there who speaks English or who can take us around/show us what to do. So we are basically whisked into this building and told to follow what everyone else is doing. I'm sorry, but for something that could be as meaningful and spiritual as this, I would like to know what's going on. After the whole confusing process ends, I still have no idea what we just partook in. We are running short on time so after exploring the grounds further we are getting ready to leave when we look up at the most beautiful temple, and there is a monk waving at us wildly and beckoning us to come up to the top.

We enter the first level of the temple and find ourselves surrounded by several golden Buddhas and a gorgeous interior. We see the monk rush down the stairs to come and find us. He doesn't speak English and once again we are ushered through several rooms where we are to show our respect for the Buddha and offer our prayers.

We arrive at the top level and the monk shows us views of the city from every window. Out on the balcony he motions that he can take a picture of us with our camera if we want. We say yes and he proceeds to take several pictures of us even though we really only wanted one. Then the most mind boggling thing happened. This monk, in robe and all, reaches into his robe and pulls out a blackberry and asks if he can take our picture on his camera phone.

Since when do monks have phones?!? And when did they start taking pictures of temple patrons??? I am absolutely flabbergasted and a little uncomfortable. I also am wishing desperately that I can somehow take a picture of him taking a picture of us. I notice that we are running very late for our Thai language lesson so after we oblige I start heading downstairs. The monk notices that the picture of us that he took on his phone was blurry and wants to take another. I decline and am able to sneak a picture of this monk taking a picture of my program mates in front of a Buddha. Definitely the biggest WTF moment of the trip so far.