Bamboo Tattoo

I wish I could be a bit more rational, but I find it nearly impossible to back down from a dare.

Before we left on the trip Andy got me to shake his hand and promise I would get a traditional-style tattoo with him.

My stomach was full of regret while driving our bikes across the island to see the artist who was going to tattoo us. I made a promise and shook on it, so I had no way out of it.

The traditional tattoo takes about three times longer than a standard tattoo in America. They used the sticks with a sharp point tied to the end of them. The point slowly pushed ink into the skin while the artist carfully outlined the tattoo.It resulted in a very detailed image when it was done. 

While waiting for roughly three hours to finish the tattoos a man came up to us and began to tell us his story.

He was a Thai boxer for most of his life and was educated at the American school in Bangkok. I guessed his age was around 48. Later I found out that he was 70..... He then told us his secret to living a long, successful life. He repeated this to us, then prayed for us several times.

He said:

"One, open mind"

"Two, open eyes"

"Three,open heart"

"Be happy, it keeps you light and will make you young forever"

Then he began to pray for our lives, success and our future families. I didn't think to take a picture of him, in the moment we could only sit and listen to this man pour out a lifetime of wisdom. The man's word stuck to me just as much as the tattoo did.

The lines in his face illustrated how much this man has smiled in his life time. I must trust what he told us.

I am thankful to get the traditional tattoo and amazed and humbled for all those who have been willing to teach me what they have learned throughout their life. I am forever greatful for my mentors from Tacoma, who have invested into my life and helped me get to this point (Coach Harper, Dr. DeTray and Mike Fait) as well as the 70 year old Thai Boxing Man.