Cleansing in Koh Phangan, Thailand

I don't remember what came first - the "cleanse" or the Full Moon Party. But for Dove and Clint - I hope it was the party. A full night's worth of debauchery with 20 to 30 thousand of your closest friends all reveling in the ecstasy of music and life and love on the famed beaches of Koh Phangan. Then "7 days with no food. Only strange clay 'shakes,' veggie broth and herbal tea." (This is where I make a face every time.)

Yes, spend the entire evening dancing, drinking and having a blast - so far so good - wreaking blissful havoc on your body until the sunrise - not too bad. And then spend the better part of a week mending it with fluids and the nutrients of the earth (literally) in an effort to rebuild and recover. Ah-hem... in an effort to "cleanse." (the face.)

To be honest, I cleanse every morning after a strong cup-o-joe, but that's just me... I'm just saying...

Back to the "cleanse." I imagine Dove and Clint, thin as the vines in this jungle resort that resembles a Buddhist temple. Everyone, dressed in a sarong, is draped over the furniture or resting on straw mats from hunger and fatigue. Their skin an awful pallor in stark contrast to their colorful outfits. Frustrated from five days of fluids, something snaps. Their faces flush. The high kicks in. Then a round of song and dance reminiscent of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" ensues. All this in the jungle resort - like the Full Moon Party all over again, but on an empty stomach.

Well, as Thailand is so close, I have a few friends in Beijing that swear by it. I don't particularly remember how Dove and Clint fared with their experience (I'm sure everything came out ok in the end). But from what I suspect after starvation and deprivation one is bound to become a bit loopy and ecstatic. Maybe it's worth it for the psychological and physiological ride.

Ok, so the more I think about it, maybe this year will be the year I give the cleanse a try. If I do, I'll try to make it relevant to IGYP somehow and keep you posted. Oh, and Dove - thanks, I got your postcard!

Get there!