Hi,
It's still cold in Chiang Rai, and it's still the topic of all the chatter wherever we go. We spent most of the day at Le Meridien Resort, involved with a very interesting wedding process. Oh, and we still haven't pack a bag. Ooops.
We leave for America on Sunday, December 22 and arrive the same day, 25 hours later. What? While we're stateside you can reach us by phone:
Danny: (310) 494-1179 Lisa: (310) 227-2351
The 'Zany Day' song this week was "Santa Baby" by Ertha Kitt in 1953. 'Old School Friday' will not be as old as the 'Zany' song, but it's old so hold on. "You ain't nothin' but a __ __, cryin' all the time. You ain't nothin' but a __ __, cryin' all the time. Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine." Hint: Really now, this is so easy it's pitiful. If I weren't so sleepy, you'd be stumped. (555)
This morning we were due at the hotel at 8:30am for the actual wedding portion of the day. When we arrived they had already gone through a whole ceremony with the monks. It seems that when the monks arrive, you begin. The same thing happened at another affair. I guess a lot of people missed the early part. We got to see everything else and it was definitely different from anything we'd ever seen. When we arrived, all of the guests were lining a long outdoor path. At one end of the path there was a group of traditional drummers. The drummers began to move down the center of the guests, occasionally chanting something that got a response from the crowd. Then we all went into a room where the bride and groom were sitting. The groom is the son of our good friend Nukoon and we were treated as 'close family friends'. Everything that happened was documented by a team of photographers and a videographer. The parents of the bride and groom gave them a lot of money and jewelry in a little ceremony. Family and friends were photographed with the couple. We then went outside to a little alcove where we each poured water on the couple's hands and gave them a blessing. Back in the room it was time for the guests to present the bride and groom with gifts. It's a tea ceremony where guests go up and the couple presents them with a little cup of tea. The guest drinks the tea and places an envelope containing money on a tray. You are then given a very beautiful token of appreciation. Everyone got a box containing a jewel encrusted replica of a religious figure.
Today's photo was taken at Le Meridien. We are joined by Khun Stephan, General Manager, and Dr. Sutheera, step-mother of the groom.
That was just the first part of the morning's activities. On Monday I'll tell you about going to their bedroom, lunch at the hotel and then the evening activities. We learned a lot about Thai culture and what to expect in the future.
Tomorrow will be bag-packing day, along with a traditional Thai dance group rehearsal here at the house with Cat and some of her friends from school.
Have a Wonderful WeekEnd. Time for something funny.
Peace,
Danny
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
No comments:
Post a Comment