Whatever

Hi,
It was another hot, muggy day in Chiang Rai. Maybe it's just me, but there seems to be a sense of anticipation in the air. Songkran is coming and it's not just the New Year that's causing this feeling. It's the water. Songkran is the Thai New Year and also a time of cleansing. The tradition, as I understand it, is to wash all of the Buddhas, and give 'blessings' to others through the sprinkling of water. There are parades through the streets with floats carrying icons. People throw water mixed with flower essence on these icons as a way to honor them and start the year with a clean slate. What really happens is, there is a giant water fight that consumes the country for anywhere from three days to two weeks. Many non-Thais actually leave the country or go to resorts to avoid the water. It's also a time for house cleaning and repair, which is why we're giving the house crew ten days off. They'll go back to their village and work on their homes and their parents' homes. It's going to be impossible for us to stay inside for all the time of Songkran, so we'll probably get wet. April 13 is the beginning and I'll surely have tales to tell. If you'd like to learn more about it, go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year
It was nice to see that your 'old song memory' is intact. Lots of you wrote in with the title and artist. If you're on the fence, try this:
"So take a good look at my face. You'll see my smile looks out of place. If you look closer, it's easy to trace __ __ __ __ __.." I don't think anymore hints are needed.
Driving in Thailand is getting better. I'm still hitting the wiper lever from time to time, expecting the turn signal to come on, but it's happening a lot less. I'm also becoming a lot more forgiving of the odd vehicles that impede my travel. The old man on the bike pulling a trailer is much less an annoyance than he used to be. The motorbike with the sidecar selling food is doing what it needs to do. I still get a little ticked off at the drivers who force their way into my path. Another thing that struck me today was the fact that there are no law enforcement vehicles who's job is to ticket offenders. It's like the wild west. There are policemen on motorbikes, but they're just going from point A to point B. They seem to spend most of their time setting up their road blocks to ticket the bike riders who have their helmets in the basket and not on their heads. I'm told that it's a good hustle. Hmm. Maybe it keeps a few heads intact as well.
It's now time for you to have a Thoroughly Thrilling Thursday.

Peace,
Danny

"Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely
believe, and enthusiastically act upon ...
must inevitably come to pass!"
~Paul J. Meyer

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

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