We stopped at the first hut on the right and walked into the small kitchen where I met some of her relatives. I couldn't understand who was who but figured somehow they're all related. Her two other sons came out and greeted me in the sustomary "sabadi kha" as they put their hands together in prayer position in front of their eyes and bowed slightly forward. We all sat on the floor together and had tea. Then her husband woke up and joined us. He loooked much younger then I anticipated. After a while I realized that I should head back to my hut to walk down to the Buddhist ceremony. So i bid them farewell and thanked them for the tea by saying "kap khun kha" (thank you) and placed my hands together in prayer near my eyes and bowed to them as I made my way out and back to the beach.
The sun was already shinning brightly and i walked back with my feet in the water to keep me cool. By the time I got to my bungalow my friends were waiting for me and it was already 10 o'clock they told me. I have lost the habit of wearing a watch on the island, as time is irrelevant here. The way i now tell time is by where the sun is, how long my shadow is, and if i'm hungry (for some more fish and rice).
Irene, Diana, Jacopo and I made our way down to the other side of the beach to Smile Hut 2. Wouldn't you know it, we were early! The monk wasn't there yet. They had prepared flowers, candles, incense, rice and placed them in front of a small golden Buddha on a high bamboo table. Next to it was a mat for the monk to sit. There were a few benches in front and on the side for us to sit. We were early so we went next door to the Rasta Baby Bar (and soon to be restaurant whenever they finish building it). The bar is really nice, in front of the beach and makes some great mixed drinks. One of the Rastas is quite an artist and has made a sculpture from all the things he has found on the beach. I had met them last week and they're all really nice, layed back people. On the wall hangs a large portrait of Bob Marley, their ido and you can even call him their God.
I found a box of wooden chips which is a game they play here, so we started playing until the monk arrived wearing his long orange cloth wrapped mysteriously around his body. I wonder how they keep that thing from falling. Diana had to ask one of the Rastas for a shirt because she was only wearing her bikini and it is considered rude to show your shoulders to a monk. I knew this already so i had put on a t-shirt and skirt on top of my bathing suit.
We walked back to the benches and sat down.
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