A short distance out of Chiang Mai is the forested enclave of Wat U Mong. This temple was built for a highly respected monk who liked to wander and meditate in the forest. Driving into the woods, the urban sounds gave way to silence, interrupted by the symphony by cicadas. Orange cloth was wrapped around many trees. These and wooden signs bore proverbs written in Thai and English. Younger monks were busy with early morning yard chores, including racking dead leaves onto orange cloth and hauling it away. Although the site had many buildings similar to that of other temple sites, it had unusual tunnel-like chambers in the ground. Walking through the low tunnels revealed niches with melted wax and statues of Buddha in several of the tunnel ends. On the curved brick ceiling, one could view faint murals of birds and animals in a few places. Walking past a shelter in which a potluck was being held, I reached a pond. Bread and popcorn was being thrown out to eager and ravenous catfish. Between the wide opening of the whiskered mouth, even a full slice of bread was no problem to be gulped in one bite. Turtles also provided entertainment for children and adults alike.
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