Today I woke up and meditated with our house guest and monk. His name is Dhammasara. I must admit I'm pretty bad at meditating! I drift off and think of everything, when you're actually meant to be thinking of nothing. I fidget, itch my mosquito bites and move around. On the other hand, there is Dhammasara, who is the complete opposite of me. He did not move once for 40 minutes; entirely content and in his own world. Well, anyhow I can only get better through daily meditation practice which I am determined to continue doing!
Whilst this was the start to my Sunday morning, one of my best friends was doing something else. She woke up extremely early to go 'temple hopping'! Basically, she went to 9 different temples, and from this, she gained good 'boon'. Boon is a form of merit- something to be thankful for, like a blessing. Boon also protects us from any kind of evil spirits. My friend had to go to each different temple, give light bulbs, candles, food and pray. She also had to pour water from a spiritual metal bowl onto the roots of a large tree. At some of the temples, my friend was given some Buddhas and bracelets.
After morning meditation, I went with my family and Dhammasara to the Bangkok weekend market, called Chatuchak (JJ market). The market sells everything from squirrels, to Indian sandals, to waffles, to amulets, to anything! It's pretty crazy, but incredibly hot. Every time I go, I feel faint- slight stomach ache and dehydrated. However, they sell great things, for cheap prices.. and I love it. So,we took "our" monk along, fed him lunch (before 12) and wandered around. My dad and Dhammasara left at 1pm. My mom, sister and I left at 5pm. A record of 7 hours was spent at Chatuchak.
To end the night, I just meditated for half an hour. This time I did lying down meditation, and yet, I still fidgeted and found it hard to concentrate!
:)
It is not every Saturday morning, when a South- African/ English Monk, comes to live in your house. 
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