Ayuttaya

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Our AFS mid-stay camp was in Ayuttaya, the ancient capital of Siam. History, beauty, variety, flowers and food, Muslim minarets and a Chinese temple (above), Orthadox Christian churches and Buddhist temples, some modern, and some ancient (below). Shopping, an introduction to Thai kick-boxing and Thai massage (yes, we got to practice both), plus the opportunity to see our fellow teacher assistants, compare notes, learn about other schools and other places in Thailand.
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Here you see some glimpses of the complex that used to be the imperial palace and temple. It was sacked in the 1700s; note the reverence for the Buddha statues, vandalized during the fighting.

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The view across the Chao Praya river from our hotel--

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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- and the Chinese and American teacher assistants, plus AFS staff. --------------------------------------------------------------------