About an hour outside of Bangkok is the huge Phra Pathom Chedi, considered the "holiest and first" among chedis. The impressive structure houses religious relics and dozens of Buddha statues in little niches that ring the central stupa.
We were told it was good luck to walk around the chedi in a clockwise direction. For even more good fortune, we rang bells in little bell towers and pressed small squares of gold leaf onto images of Buddha, a common practice at Thai temples.
As we were walking, I noticed a display of original watercolor paintings. While deciding which one to buy one, the artist approached me with a big smile. He was mute, but his wife asked if I was American? When I said 'yes,' the artist began scribbling on a notepad. I presumed he was writing the price for the painting, but when he held up the paper, it read "Obama." He gave me a thumbs up, smiled, and proceeded to write more, "Bush Bad."
I bought the painting anyway.
