Week 4 Chiang Mai Update
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Last week was the last week of cardiology, and it was busy
for the fellows. I've gotten much better at auscultation during this rotation
because Dr. Narawut continued to have me listen to patients and then quiz me
with findings and differential. I rarely used the bell of the stethoscope
before this, but it was essential that I learned to use it to give him a more
complete cardiac exam with S3/S4, rumbles, and bruits. I also was able to pick
out several fellows who were able to teach me more about echocardiography.
Over the weekend, I stuck around Chiang Mai so that I could
catch up on some research work, but I did get out for some shorter trips. I got
a ride part-way and then biked along 1001 to Wat Doi Mai Pang, which was the
residence of the monk Luang Por Waen Sucinno. The ride out was gorgeous and is
a route that has become popular for cyclists, mainly Thai. Along the route I
encountered a Thudong monk who was making a long walk from Chiang Mai to Chiang
Rai, I offered him some food and he gave a blessing/chant.
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The temple and grounds were very nice. There were some
relics of Luang Por Waen, a lake filled with ravenous catfish, a very nice
temple (photo at top), and meditation building.
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Photo 2:
Lake with ravenous catfish
I also visited Wat Pha Lat and Wat Umong (on Monday). Wat
Pha Lat is an often overlooked temple on the way to Doi Suthep. It has a forest
monastery feel, with waterfall, many statues, and meditation hall. Wat Umong is
an old temple (~700 years) south of Chiang Mai University that has a tunnel
system below an unpainted Lanna-style Chedi. Consistent with the Lanna theme,
there is a replica of Ashok pillar.
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Two photos of Wat Pha Lat
Photo 3:
Wat Umong
Wat Umong
