Category Archives: “Spirituality”

Vicarious Exploration Opportunity: World’s Tallest Buddha

Posted on July 20, 2014 by Michael Roy

There we were in Monywa with a spare day on our hands – not because we had planned to take a day off, but because when we reached Yesagyo after a pleasantly short 75km, the police sent us packing.  They … Continue reading →

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You Have Been Invited to: Buddha’s Birthday Party (as practiced in Pyay)

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Michael Roy

Alternate title: Stranger in an Even Stranger Land. How to celebrate the birth and life of he who taught the virtues of nonattachment, meditation, and mindfulness, who preached that the end to suffering lay in the visceral understanding of the … Continue reading →

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F.U.S. Files: Thai Bus Stop, Lying A-holes, and Birdsong

Posted on May 4, 2014 by Michael Roy

I have yet to see a bus stop in Thailand that has any useful information on it beyond the route numbers of the buses that stop there. No mention of the previous or next stop, no map of the entire … Continue reading →

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Mee Fa Ben Baan , Mee Yung Ben Puan

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Michael Roy

A Thai proverb relating to the fauxbo mindset: “Have sky for house, have mosquito for friend.” That pretty nicely sums up life as a cyclist in Southeast Asia. By the time this post goes up, my squad and I will … Continue reading →

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The Venerable Louis

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Michael Roy

It’s only natural that during my time as an English teacher here in Asia, I have made an interesting assortment of friends.  Many of them have done the same thing as me: teach for a few years before moving on … Continue reading →

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Cambodia: The Monk Post

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Michael Roy

A look back at my records indicates that I only slept at temples three times this month.  That’s more than in northern and central Vietnam, where I don’t think I saw a single Buddhist temple, but far less than in … Continue reading →

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A Tiny Act of Charity

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Michael Roy

I gave money to a man* begging in the market this morning.  I passed him on my way in and saw him seated on a small plank on the ground next to a vegetable stall, legs crossed, one hand holding … Continue reading →

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A Moment in Cuc Phuong

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Michael Roy

I’ve gotten into the habit of writing my posts a couple of weeks after the events in question. Sometimes that can be a nice perspective to write from. So much changes every day that flipping through all the photos makes … Continue reading →

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Gettin’ Religion on my way to Bangkok

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Michael Roy

Just as the ocean “waves,” the universe “peoples.” – Alan Watts, The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are Welcome to Thailand! Land of Smiles! Land of scams! Land of splendid sun! Land of endless rain! Land of … Continue reading →

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Vipassana Mysteries: Honking

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Michael Roy

Now seems like the perfect time to write this. I got an early start (7:30ish) to avoid the heat and am already most of the way from Pak Bong to Nong Khiaw. I’m not sure how close I am, since … Continue reading →

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