One of the leaders here at the church had suggested that two students here take me to see various sites in the area. Today was our first adventure together. Today none of us seemed very talkative. There was a lot of silence. Today none of us seemed real keen on making decisions. I was thinking of them as guides and they were hesitant to impose on my will by guiding.
Today’s visits were a bit touristy, and touristy in a category that is not my preferred cup of tea. I’m quite willing to be a tourist and go see mountains, parks, gardens, old buildings, ruins, maybe even a bit of coast.  I don’t mean to say I didn’t enjoy seeing the crocodile show, the elephant show, and the cultural show today.
I think I would have enjoyed them more if I had attended them with children. I think I would have better entered into a childlike excitement at the sight of someone sticking their head in a crocodile’s mouth, or watching elephants kick soccer balls into a goal. Maybe I shouldn’t write this right now while I’m tired. This is sounding negative. It was fun.
The musical accompaniment for the cultural show was excellent. I wish the musicians in their little corner and the actors on center stage could have traded places, at least for a little while so I could better observe the music making.
Personal highlights from the cultural show (having already mentioned the music) were the Thai boxing and one of the styles of Thai dancing. In Thai boxing (as far as I can tell) anything goes, elbows, kicks, whatever.
For the one dance they brought out bamboo poles which they used percussively in pairs. Try to picture several sets of bamboo poles side by side clapping together a few inches off the ground. Then picture dancers dancing amidst the poles. It was rather akin to skipping rope.
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