From tourist to layperson

We left around 9:30 am to pick up the alum's friend and then headed to Nakhon Pathom. We stopped at a restaurant by the river and ate with the driver - it was a nice last meal before the monastery.

View from the restaurant

We stopped at Rama Park, which holds artifacts from Rama II. The palm trees and color of the buildings reminded me a lot of Florida.

The museum at Rama Park

Then we went to Ampawa's floating market, where I bought a couple gifts. Mostly locals go to this market, so it did not have great souvenirs, but people were selling traditional Thai food.

Ampawa Floating Market

We reached Wat Songdhammakalyani around 4:30 pm and several stray dogs greeted us. It made me sad to say goodbye to the alum and his friend. I could have easily stayed in Bangkok for at least another week. I felt like civilization was leaving me, but I chose to stay in a monastery after all. The samaneri in the front office was extremely nice and gave me some dinner. I think my hunger made it taste like the best meal in Thailand. I went to evening chanting and a former samaneri who spoke English showed me how to bow properly. She taught me other lessons regarding culture and Buddhism so that I could act respectfully in the wat.

Sign as we approached the monastery