TATTOOED BY A BUDDHIST MONK IN THAILAND

Sitting cross-legged on the floor of a dimly lit temple, myself and dozens of Thais slowly edged forward toward the far end of the room. There was silence, except for a faint tapping at the front of the room, and the occasional murmur in the crowd. Over an hour passed before my group finally neared the front of the line, and suddenly I was called forward. It was my turn.