Oh my Buddha

Munching away on our yummy eggs benedict Kirk and I decided that we really should fulfill our word and go back and see Khamlai. Even if I was just a few hours before we headed off to the Buddha sculptural park. Off we slumped to the Watt like school kids heading off to detention. Honestly we thought it was going to be a weird situation with plenty of "Lost in translation" moments. How wrong we were. Khamlai answered all my stupid 20 questions about being a Monk and did it with a shyness but was completely open. This made Kirk and I feel really bad for being like spoilt kids. This guy was a true sweetheart.
His Father had died only two months ago and he has only seen his Mother twice since he came to study at the temple. Over 5 years ago. He really wants to leave the Studies of Buddha behind but being a monk isn't recognized by so many institutions. He'd love to study as a guide but he simply can't. Even though his English is excellent, is learning Japanese and has been studying French for a long time! This Fella is the right candidate for it and is going to waste, begging for his meals each day and sweeping Temple grounds.
The day went on and we asked heaps of questions which Kham easily answered in his shy way. We parted with a fair bit on our knowledge on Australian customs and the way we live. I said basically we have the view, "My home is your home, so relax!" Kham was shocked that we are so relaxed and comfortable with people of all creeds. I guess that's the upside to being a young multicultural country. I am sometimes glad not to be from a country full of cultural history and ceremony.
He came across as a really humble, sensitive person which made me want to give him a big hug. Forbidden though, remember? We settled for making bracelets and cracking silly jokes. I asked Khamlai about Monks touching women and he said if I was drowning he could jump in and save me because that was helping selflessly. If he "concentrated" though he would be wrong. I guessed that "concentrating" was impure thoughts and so went the joke all afternoon about him not concentrating.
If he could he would love to come to Australia to see our beautiful country and wished he was born there, so he could have been either mine or Kirks boyfriend. Now is that Concentrating??
He such a sweetie I really did consider buying an extra suitcase to pack him into to bring home. I thought he'd be able to survive a long haul flight with all that meditation garp he does and already he goes 19 ours each day without a meal. Perfect really!
Well maybe it'd be a bit hard to explain why I have a orange robed Monk in my suitcase when I went through customs. It was worth a thought.
By this point Kirk and I were starving, considering it was now after 3 pm. So we departed ways only to return that afternoon, arms filled with food offerings and helped the boys clean the grounds of the Watt. A first in history apparently! We didn't quite make the World book of records but we certainly caused a stir at the old Temple. Obviously under the doubtful and stern old eye of their Master.
I think Khamlai may have been in a bit of trouble and old Master may have wondering if he was Concentrating. However Khamlai, I think, is at the point where being a bit of a bad boy would brighten his day....