Ayuttayah

We loaded into the vans and drove ~2 hrs north of Bangkok to Ayuttayah, the ancient capital that was destroyed by the Burmese in the middle 1700s.  Many ruins of temples of the ancient capital have been preserved and collectively are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  We visited two of them today.  Afterwards, we checked into our hotel, got dinner at the night market in Ayuttayah, and the students thought karaoke would be a good idea.  Some who we thought were a little reserved shocked us... they are no longer.

Note to parents and friends:  Thank you very much for posting comments!  I look forward to your comments as much as you look forward to the blog.

At each of the major cultural sites we visit, a pair of students is assigned the task of researching information about the site and providing interpretation for the rest of the group.  Here are Sera and Taylor telling us about Wat Cha Wattanaram.

Built in 1630 as a memorial to King Prasat Thong's mother and in the Khmer style, this temple was destroyed during the 1767 Burmese invasion.  The temple structure reflects the Buddhist world view: The central prang symbolizes the mountain Meru, comprising the central axis of the world.  Around it lie the four continents (the four smaller prangs) that swim in the four directions of the world sea (the ancient Thais were really confused).  

Elliott and Brandon took my advice and tried durian ice cream.  They were not impressed.  It's doubtful they'll ever take my advice again.

Wat Pra Mahathat was built from 555 to 1384 A.D and is said to enshrine relics of the Buddha. There is a central chedi and 158 smaller pagodas.  Smaller monuments appear to be funerary reliquaries.  During the Burmese invasion, the Buddha images were beheaded.  

In Buddhist countries, the head is considered sacred and not to be touched.  So by taking the heads off the Buddha statues, the Burmese committed an even greater grievous offense.

This looks like an album cover for a rock band.  Elliott, Rachael, Sydney, Lu, and Brandon.

At the night market, we all found something to eat for dinner.  There was so much to choose from.  Here Lu is considering which sushi to try.

These markets are so much fun because there's always stuff that you have no idea what it is.

I recognize this one: dried squid... or is it cuttlefish?

Meat on a stick.

Kaylee, Zoe, and Alyssa buying mango & sticky rice.  A very good choice...

I don't know.

Fish and other stuff.

Wow... Looks like hot dog pieces stuffed with fungus... on a stick.

This happens somewhere on our program every year.  Elliott found crickets.  Evidently, he was popping them in his mouth like gum drops.  Taylor, Rachael, and Hli might or might not have tried them. 

Various and sundry entrails.

Ashley, Sarah, and Sera.

Kaylee trying to decide between gizzards and pig intestine while Ajarn Wayne and I had some fresh phad Thai.  (horrified parents: that was humor)

I still can't believe it:  Back at the hotel we had karaoke in the restaurant.  Meek little Zoe broke the ice and belted out her version of Sweet Caroline.

Hli ripped on a song I've never heard.

Sarah and Rachael teamed up on a Shania Twain song: I Feel Like a Woman.

OMG: Kaylee and Emily!  Nothing is the same as it once was.  Matter is antimatter, up is down, Trump is president.

Taylor and Sera.  The students right now are still down in the restaurant singing (I use that word loosely).  I had to come up to my room and take care of my audience... the parents.