Hi,
This weekend marked the beginning of a double festival week. We are surrounded by music, explosions, and a 'dressed up' Chiang Rai.
The 'Old School Friday' tune was "Ain't To Proud To Beg" by The Temptations. It's time for another episode of
'Easy Monday'. "You're the kind of person you meet at certain dismal dull affairs. Center of a crowd, talking much too loud, running up and down the stairs. Well, it seems to me that you have seen too much in too few many years. And though you've tried you just can't hide. Your eyes are edged with tears. You better stop, look around here it comes, here it comes, here it comes. Here it comes your __ __ __." Hint: This is by a band that's still gigging after 50 years. There's another number in the title.
The Yi Peng Festival is often called the Festival of Lights. It's a Lanna (Northern Thai) tradition that relates to the second month of the Lanna calendar and is about making merit. It has, over time, ended up coinciding with Loy Krathong, which is about giving thanks to the river and asking for forgiveness. So basically we have lanterns floating into the night sky as part of Yi Peng, and banana leaf boats with candles and incense floating down the river. Wednesday will be the big night with all of that happening at the same time. It's very magical to see. The lanterns have been sighted already, and of course, the fireworks have been going on for weeks.
Friday night they started the carnival celebration across the river from us. The merry-go-round and the loud music were the signs that it had started. During the day there was traditional music coming from the village. Boot and Kwang wanted to know if we were going down to the river on Wednesday. We told them we'd do it from this side, meaning we'd go to the boat dock and not deal with the crowds in the park. The very first year we were here we were taken to the festival by our friends Pui and Third. Our friend Kristy was visiting and it was a little party within the big party. As it got later the crowd got thicker and firecrackers started going off right next to us. Time to leave. Now we participate, but in a more controlled manner. It's easier on so many levels.
Around town we have been seeing nice, colorful touches to the local ambience. There is a stretch of crosstown road that we use a lot. The other day there were crews working on the trees. We came back the next day and took this photo of one of the trees that was decorated with orchids. Amazing Thailand.
An 'Orchid Tree'
Tomorrow evening I'm going to the Farm Festival on The Hill with our artist friend Em. He also plays guitar and we've been bonding. We have no idea who will be performing, we're just going to see some top bands do their thing. Time to get out my 'dirt walking shoes'.
Have a Great Week.
Peace,
Danny
~Eleanor Roosevelt
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
No comments:
Post a Comment