Day 1: More like week 1

I can't believe today was just one day...it felt like at least a week. Waking up at 5 am wasn't so bad, but I'm worried that I will sleep in one day. We started off with morning chanting, which would have been better if the "English" version wasn't so complicated. When I lose my place or they skip around, I am lucky to find the chant after five minutes. Breakfast was like dinner: rice, tofu, fruit, and vegetables. I miss bananas that aren't squishy and the size of my palm. I also miss breakfast food already.
Speaking of food, we collected alms from the local people after breakfast. I pushed the cart, which I think is the new person's job because the cart got surprisingly heavy by the end of the route. Locals scooped rice into the nuns' pots and then the laypeople (me and 3 other women) took the other food from the nuns. We brought along some water that Venerable Dhammananda blessed for people who offered alms. 2 dogs from the wat followed us most of the way and they met many more stray dogs. What struck me most about the alms round was the dedication of the people to the nuns. The people gave whatever they could, maybe even more than they could, to support the monastics. Although the Thai government may not officially recognize ordained women, the locals seem to think differently.
When we returned to the wat, we separated the food and prepared for afternoon chanting. A girl who spoke English taught me how to make the flower arrangement that we uses as an offering to the Buddha. People from nearby came to chant with us and we all ate lunch afterwards. It reminded me of when I used to go to church.
After the locals left, my friend showed me around the whole wat and explained the history of all the buildings. There was just enough time for dinner and a shower before evening chanting at 7 pm. I moved from the guest room to the single room next door.

 Writing outside my door...I need to figure out what it means

The mattress is a bit thin haha

Other side of the room 

When I shook out my sheets, some sort of salamander popped out and scared the bejesus out of me. Another salamander waited for me on the window of my new room. I guess I have to get used to living with some animal friends.

My newest friend