Leaving for Lopburi
Just after singing the national anthem, at 8 am, and just before we leave for Lopburi we give away the prices for the winners of the best elephant drawings. The children are still neatly lined-up because of the national anthem, and one after the other is being called to step forward to receive their price. We have got something for everyone who has joint the contest, and it’s great to see their happy faces. We also hand over the beautifully framed in group pictures we have taken a couple of days ago to the head of the school. With this he wants us to take another grouppicture. I hope we don’t have to print this one…
Silver Flower and Sri Nuan, who accidentally took down two trees, step on to the truck as easy as they stepped off a few days ago. This time we will only have to drive for two hours, so that will not be a problem.
We leave Ayuthaya with a new familymember inside our car, Pa Ko, the dog! Named after the temple where we stayed at, and where she probably was left behind by someone. All night the poor little puppy, who has lot’s of flees on her, has been howling, laying up and under a blanket next to our tent. First we have to wash you, then get rid of these flees, and then maybe, just maybe you are allowed into our tent! It almost seems like she is afraid to be abandoned once more, because she only sleeps when she lays on our laps. In Lopburi we receive a warm welcome from the headmonk and the nuns. We find a nice spot between the the temple and the road where we make camp.
Once again we can use the kitchen and toilets of the temple complex. Pa Ko is being washed and treated for flees. The elephants are happily grazing in the new, and foremost green field, and we sent out invitations to the press. Hopefully this time some interested journalists will come to visit us.
Newest teammember: Pa Ko!
