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Taking Time to Smell the Flowers

2/24/2013

13 Comments

 
When I'm in Bangkok I try to find a spare hour to wonder around the flower market.  It's about 5 blocks long and 2 blocks wide of shops and street vendors selling only flowers.  Surrounded by millions of blossoms; being in the middle of it is almost fairy tale-like. When I was there a few days ago it was late afternoon and the flowers were arriving by the truck-load for the evening market.  Truck after truck full of flowers.  Petite roses to orchids, to lotus, to long stem roses that standing came up to my chest. 
Bangkok, by global terms, is not a really dirty city but compared to Canada it definitely has a grungy factor.  It's not uncommon to be hit with a waft of urine that almost makes your eyes water when you step over a sewer grate. (Even the locals are seen covering their nose with their shirt sleeve.)  Walking through the flower market you're transported to a magical place of beautiful colours and scents. 
Roses, Roses, and more Roses...
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Many of these flowers are destined for hotels, restaurants and spas as decor.  You'll often get an orchid (that at home is so extravagant)  as a garnish on your cocktail. If I lived here, I'd have fresh blooms in my home all the time (you wouldn't believe how cheap it is!)

In Thailand, flowers are more than just beauty and aroma. They represent a part of the Buddhist culture. Everyday thousands of blooms will be given as offerings at temples.  Many will also be used to show respect for ancestors long gone. 
This woman is weaving flowers into an offering wreath. 
These will be taken to temples as offerings. They will also be hung (with a prayer for safety, good sales, etc) on car mirrors, boats and shop entrances.
Many of are made with jasmine flowers and the scent is truly heavenly.
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Lotus flowers are also often given as offerings at the temples. 
In Buddhism the lotus flower is associated with purity, spiritual awakening and faithfulness. The flower is considered pure as it is able to emerge from murky waters in the morning and be perfectly clean.



The flotus flower is considered pure as it is able to emerge from murky waters in the morning and be perfectly clean.
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13 Comments
John Wright
2/24/2013 12:44:28 am

Hi Terri& Peter,
After seeing all those beautiful flowers I only wish I could smell them too. Hope you have a nice little vacation before you return home. All the best!

Reply
Linda
2/24/2013 03:22:07 am

We never made it to the flower market. What a shame. How did I miss that given I love flowers so much. Oh well next time. Enjoy. Hugs.

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Angelika link
2/24/2013 04:44:23 am

wow, such beautiful flowers - and i love the symbolism of the lotus blossom. buddhism has a lot to teach us. your pics are gorgeous - i can almost smell the flowers from here!

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Joy Beaupre
2/24/2013 04:50:37 am

Amazing quantities of flowers - and how wonderful that the beauty and the scent of them can overcome the ugly urine smells. And the fact that the Lotus flowers can be washed clean from the murky waters is amazing. Purity, spiritual awakening and faithfulness all in one beautiful bloom.
Love to you both..
Joy B.
Joy

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Lesley
2/24/2013 10:00:18 am

So beautiful and a breath of fresh air when we here are all longing for spring and the signs of a bud! I can't believe we never went there when we were in Bangkok...next time!
Hope you enjoy the final weeks:)
Les

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Aunt Bev., Uncle Bob
2/24/2013 11:12:15 am

The gardener in me is in awe of the beauty you were immersed in. Thanks for sharing.
Enjoy the rest of your trip.

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Patricia Porter Marcus
2/24/2013 01:47:38 pm

Luv your blog Terri. Have been passing it on to family and friends. Take care Hugs to u both

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Barbara jones
2/25/2013 12:11:57 am

Thank you for sharing, Terri,
The scents must be heavenly.
Even people who can't afford to buy can walk through and SMELL.

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Keith Belwa
2/25/2013 03:14:45 am

Terri &Peter:
You open our eyes to so much of this worlds beauty, I want to take this oppertunity to thank you so much for all your efforts.
If only they had smellmail, but I guess that is what our imagination is for.

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Larry deszcz
2/25/2013 03:28:36 am

Thansk again Terri!

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sandy and frank
2/26/2013 08:32:57 am

Beautiful, I can just imagine the smells that go along with your amazing pictures. I can see why you love Thailand so much. sandy and frank

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Judy Phinney
2/28/2013 01:36:35 am

I love your blog! Amazing pictures and details that allow us to be right there along with you. Thanks and have a wonderful visit. Judy

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birthday flowers link
1/28/2017 02:18:03 pm

How many times have you passed your preferred florist and desired to buy flowers for one who creates your day an entire one? Many guys don't comprehend the worth of flowers but if they understood they might discover they can definitely succeed the heart of their cherished one using the aid of flowers. Beauties could be described the same as a lady's second best friend and are very dear to each woman.

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