Flowers have never been something that I seek to find. Sure they are pretty enough; I just don’t find myself going on excursions in nature to find these unique manifestations. This lack of desire changed the other day on my trip to a local event that had the streets around the old city closed down. “Why the hell not”, I said to myself, and so with a friend of mine, I headed down the street to take in the spectacle. I have never engaged my time in order to take in the diversity of colors, shapes and types of these so readily seen phenomenon of nature. Pleasantly, I was surprised by it all.
Saturday was like most days here in Chiang Mai that fall in the latter part of January and the early days of February. All things and persons were being illuminated by the always prevailing sun in a temperate climate that affords a wonderful opportunity to enjoy just about anything during a nice stroll down a bustling market street. As I walked down the closed off street, to the left, were lined countless food vendors selling so many confections, juices, and a vast assortments of edibles. On the right side of the street were large canopies that had been set up just to the edge of the old moat. The tranquil slow moving water of the moat along with the fountains located within, that were creating a hypnotic vibration as streams of water collapsed into its voluminous self, served as a most wonderful back drop for the sellers to display their floral creations as well as a multitude of other plants and flowers for purchase. All though the streets were filled with an ever moving stream of individuals sliding through the push of one another, the moat and the kaleidoscope that had been plucked from the essence of nature made for a very relaxed walk.
My friend and I leisurely worked our way from one spot to another, as we did, we made a few stops from point A to the unknown point B to enjoy some sort of tasty donut like creation, a large glass filled with fresh coconut juice as well as the meat that had just been peeled from the husk, and we stopped at a few displays to check out the various flowers. Along our way, we came across a line of floats that had just been out roaming the streets peacocking their natural adornments in a recent parade. It is just amazing, the amount of detail that a person can get from simply arranging differing types of flowers, colors and varying types of flora. Each float had a theme and each was created by the help of many hands joining to accomplish this single beautiful pursuit. These floats were definitely worth the time we took enjoying them, but I think what I enjoyed most, were the many types and styles of Bonsai trees that were on display. Many of these little manicured miniature creations were brandishing ribbons of recognition. So, I am guessing, that there was some sort of competition pitting these little guys against one another. It is such a nice thing to have no knowledge of the measures of correctness and subtle nuisances that are externally set by an esoteric group to define an objects beauty. This may be why I care little for those that tell me which wine, whiskey, beer, food… etc. is best or better than what my own plebian palate is communicating to my mind. This fortunate lapse in knowing allowed me to really enjoy each of these little creations. A great deal of my time was spent enjoying the multitude of intricacies, as well as with admiring the skill and time it must have taken to create each of these little wonders.
Meandering along, we then came upon a nice little park, where a number of people had laid out bamboo mats to stretch out on and to enjoy a nice little meal with their family and friends. As we set up by the small lake, we were serenaded by the traditional sounds of Thai music being performed in a small amphitheater by a local Chiang Mai Orchestra. Dusk was beginning to set in with a pastel rose hue that emanated from the heavens and reflected in the shimmers of water being created as the Koi peaked through the surface to take in and be a part of the happenings occurring all around their serine sanctuary.
Just taking a moment to be still in a place and time like this provided a great opportunity for each of my senses to be stirred. My smell was influenced by thousands upon thousands of flowers giving off an assortment of fragrances that intermingled with the grass, the water, fruit trees, and unique aromas of all types of freshly made cuisine. Varying tints and shades of color; along with the reflections of the sky, clouds, children playing, families laughing, lovers embracing, and of the subtle fragmentation of these images as the Koi broke the stillness of the water creating this mirror of reality. Lush green grass is surrounding and cushioning my bare feet as well as each of my fingers; a sensation of cool soft comfort is felt as my fingers slightly tug at the blades of green now serving as my place of contented rest. Sounds of laughter, music, and simply of movement induce an unconscious smile as well as provide me with that feeling one gets when enjoyment is just beginning its cascade through the body. Yes, I find that there is so much to experience in a single moment and I love that I have had the opportunity to enjoy these fleeting moments as often as I have.
Flowers have never been something that I seek to find. Sure they are pretty enough; I just don’t find myself going on excursions in nature to find these unique manifestations. This lack of desire changed the other day on my trip to a local event that had the streets around the old city closed down. “Why the hell not”, I said to myself, and so with a friend of mine, I headed down the street to take in the spectacle. I have never engaged my time in order to take in the diversity of colors, shapes and types of these so readily seen phenomenon of nature. Pleasantly, I was surprised by it all. 
Saturday was like most days here in Chiang Mai that fall in the latter part of January and the early days of February. All things and persons were being illuminated by the always prevailing sun in a temperate climate that affords a wonderful opportunity to enjoy just about anything during a nice stroll down a bustling market street. As I walked down the closed off street, to the left, were lined countless food vendors selling so many confections, juices, and a vast assortments of edibles. On the right side of the street were large canopies that had been set up just to the edge of the old moat. The tranquil slow moving water of the moat along with the fountains located within, that were creating a hypnotic vibration as streams of water collapsed into its voluminous self, served as a most wonderful back drop for the sellers to display their floral creations as well as a multitude of other plants and flowers for purchase. All though the streets were filled with an ever moving stream of individuals sliding through the push of one another, the moat and the kaleidoscope that had been plucked from the essence of nature made for a very relaxed walk.
My friend and I leisurely worked our way from one spot to another, as we did, we made a few stops from point A to the unknown point B to enjoy some sort of tasty donut like creation, a large glass filled with fresh coconut juice as well as the meat that had just been peeled from the husk, and we stopped at a few displays to check out the various flowers. Along our way, we came across a line of floats that had just been out roaming the streets peacocking their natural adornments in a recent parade. It is just amazing, the amount of detail that a person can get from simply arranging differing types of flowers, colors and varying types of flora. Each float had a theme and each was created by the help of many hands joining to accomplish this single beautiful pursuit. These floats were definitely worth the time we took enjoying them, but I think what I enjoyed most, were the many types and styles of Bonsai trees that were on display. Many of these little manicured miniature creations were brandishing ribbons of recognition. So, I am guessing, that there was some sort of competition pitting these little guys against one another. It is such a nice thing to have no knowledge of the measures of correctness and subtle nuisances that are externally set by an esoteric group to define an objects beauty. This may be why I care little for those that tell me which wine, whiskey, beer, food… etc. is best or better than what my own plebian palate is communicating to my mind. This fortunate lapse in knowing allowed me to really enjoy each of these little creations. A great deal of my time was spent enjoying the multitude of intricacies, as well as with admiring the skill and time it must have taken to create each of these little wonders. 
Meandering along, we then came upon a nice little park, where a number of people had laid out bamboo mats to stretch out on and to enjoy a nice little meal with their family and friends. As we set up by the small lake, we were serenaded by the traditional sounds of Thai music being performed in a small amphitheater by a local Chiang Mai Orchestra. Dusk was beginning to set in with a pastel rose hue that emanated from the heavens and reflected in the shimmers of water being created as the Koi peaked through the surface to take in and be a part of the happenings occurring all around their serine sanctuary.
Just taking a moment to be still in a place and time like this provided a great opportunity for each of my senses to be stirred. My smell was influenced by thousands upon thousands of flowers giving off an assortment of fragrances that intermingled with the grass, the water, fruit trees, and unique aromas of all types of freshly made cuisine. Varying tints and shades of color; along with the reflections of the sky, clouds, children playing, families laughing, lovers embracing, and of the subtle fragmentation of these images as the Koi broke the stillness of the water creating this mirror of reality. Lush green grass is surrounding and cushioning my bare feet as well as each of my fingers; a sensation of cool soft comfort is felt as my fingers slightly tug at the blades of green now serving as my place of contented rest. Sounds of laughter, music, and simply of movement induce an unconscious smile as well as provide me with that feeling one gets when enjoyment is just beginning its cascade through the body. Yes, I find that there is so much to experience in a single moment and I love that I have had the opportunity to enjoy these fleeting moments as often as I have. 
