The Land of Smiles

Thailand is known as the "Land of Smiles" and rightly so. It's the warmest and friendliest place I've ever been. In fact, Thai has thirteen different words for thirteen different types of smiles! 

An illustration of this friendly and welcoming culture comes from my visit to Pattaya's Sanctuary of Truth. I've mentioned before about how one of my new colleagues is naturally outgoing and insists upon talking to everyone he meets. As we were walking to the Sanctuary, we passed a pair of monks who were just leaving. I've never been comfortable around monks, because they always seem so serious and they have so many rules to follow, although I'm sure that they're personally very friendly. One of the monks that comes to speak sometimes at morning assembly at my school is apparently really funny, as he keeps the students laughing for his entire morning talks.

This pair of monks seemed stern and serious, but my friend decided that he wanted a picture with them in front of the Sanctuary of Truth. My other colleagues and I groaned collectively when he started talking to them, but they politely agreed to pose for a photo with us. After our tour guide snapped a photo, the older of the two monks reached into a pocket in his robe for his own small point-and-shoot digital camera. 

"Maybe just one more picture", he said, grinning. Sometimes I'm still surprised at how friendly Thai people always seem to be once you take the time to talk to them.