Chiang Mai temples

A day of temples....Wat Chedi Luang- amazing temple comlpex with gild and black interior with a golden Buddha with hand position for "peace". I heard a bell ringing and ran outside without my shoes. Then i saw an Incredible old Chedi with massive elephant "gargoyles". Other very interesting mini temples with lots of bells (I line bells and gongs), reclining "she" golden Buddha with gold mesh dress, chatting with young monks at "recess" sitting under tree with thoughtful proverbs above. A old woman was selling very small birds which one purchases and releases for good luck, 5 enclosed in a wicker cage about 6x4 inches-

Then walked to the Wat Phra Sing- not nearly as beautiful but has a minuscule crystal Buddha- for me it was more about being a working temple than a museum. Young monks siting on the floor eating eating lunch at low tables all along one side of the temple, with what I assumed to be the teachers sitting at different tables segregated from the students.

Next temple complex- Wat Chang Man- there was a wondered sign with a picture of a dog with a diagonal line through it (ie: no dogs allowed) which I wish I had a photo of because I will remember this as the dog temple! Actually most temples have a dog and or a few kittens about. In what appeared to be the main temple there was a beautiful female gold Buddha and 9 jars into which you could place offerings (monetary). Under each jar was written a day of the week- after Wednesday there was a jar for "night Wednesday", and after Saturday there was a jar with no English translation (only sandscript). I am embarrassed that I don't know what this was for.... The day of the week you were born?Over each jar was a specific statue for the day of the week - Saturday is the coolest... Later I saw something similar with gold statues and instead of offering jars; one could pour oil into lamps after making an offering for a day of he week. This is when having a guide would be useful. In a side section of the temple I was quietly watching a monk bless a family and was pleased to also receive a blessing- a sprinkling of water from a very small bamboo whisk brush. I thanked him afterwards and we spoke of some of the worlds ills- he said there is today no safe place for a monk. Another unusual chedi with a gold top and more elephants. Lunch at "Just Kao Soy" - written up in NY Times by xxxxx-( I had saved article and carried it around for ever and now I can't find it)... poor mans food made classy. Basically noodles (you chose type) and marinated meat (you chose type) cooked in curry flavored broth cooked with or without coconut milk (you chose). Served with 7 condiments all on what looks like an artist's palette. Dessert of warm Sticky rice with Mango and unusual crunchy seeds. Amazing. Wonderful art for sale.

Last temple complex of the day- Doi Suthep- another winding road up the mountainside about 20 minutes west of the city in a cab, followed by 306 steps up to the temple established in 1383.
Note- more photos to follow in a minute as otherwise I think this will be too big to post